Arsenal are set to sign a striker this summer as they have seen injuries to the likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side have needed a number nine for the past few seasons, but many would say that it has never been more prevalent as it has this year. The Gunners are second in the Premier League table, and have scored 61 goals this season, which is 14 fewer than league leaders Liverpool.
They made a bid for Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window, but it was instantly rejected, and now they are left heading into the summer looking to sign a number nine who can scored 20 plus goals in a Premier League season.
Former Arsenal midfielder Julio Baptista has named the two strikers that he thinks the Gunners should go after this year, both of which have been linked with a move to the Emirates.
He told footitalia.com: “Buying a striker, it’s not easy. I know Arsenal are looking, but so are many other clubs. People talk about Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian. He’s done incredible stuff at Wolves, so maybe he’s the player that Arsenal need. Arsenal need to take a look at him, I think. Cunha should definitely be on their short list.”
“He has performed brilliantly in a team that has found life difficult at times this season, so you would think that at Arsenal he would score even more goals given the chances that they create and the way they dominate most games. He would also be playing with better players.”
Cunha has been linked to Arsenal, however, in recent days it looks as though his most likely destination will be Manchester United.
Baptista also recommends Gyokeres for Arsenal
The former Gunner didn’t stop at Cunha, as he has also been very impressed by Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has been linked to Arsenal since last summer.
He said: “Then there’s Viktor Gyokeres, too. The boy has incredible numbers. 45 games, 44 goals, 11 assists. Arsenal are one of the teams that are supposed to be really interested in him, and I can see why. I think the new Sporting Director Andrea Berta really likes him; he was on his radar when he was the Sporting Director at Atletico Madrid.
“If I’m Arteta, I’m moving for one of those two. I think it’s really important that Arsenal bring in a striker that is coming off the back of a great season and is full of confidence. They need a player to join them who has that aura about them and is ready to complete the side.”
Gyokeres was also linked to Man United, however, reports have indicated that the Gunners are the frontrunners to land the Swedish international, and could sign him for a fee of around £60 million.
Click here to see Arsenal’s latest injury news and expected return dates.