Isak? Gyokeres? Rashford?: Arsenal ‘expect SIGNIFICANT’ transfer for striker

Arsenal ‘expect’ to sign a striker by the start of next season but there are still major reservations over some of the biggest names on the club’s shortlist.

Mikel Arteta opted to go into this season with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as his leading forwards but neither has proven to be the consistent source of goals Arsenal need in their title ambitions.

Havertz’s form to end last season, where he finished with nine goals and six assists in his final 14 appearances, had convinced Arsenal to persist with him as their leading striker but the German has just five Premier League goals this year.

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Jesus netted a hat-trick in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace but the 27-year-old has not scored in the league since January.

The situation has seemingly led to an internal acceptance that Arsenal need more fire power, with the Daily Mail claiming that Arteta and the club’s recruitment staff are gearing towards making a ‘significant outlay’ on a ‘prolific’ striker in the coming months.

While the priority is to source ‘goals’, Arsenal’s top target is still being debated by the club, with age, cost, injuries and experience all counting towards their decision.

Which strikers are on Arsenal’s shortlist?

Alexander Isak is considered by many to be a leading candidate in Arsenal’s search for a striker, having scored 38 goals in 67 league appearances for Newcastle

However, there are concerns over his injury record, particularly with Arteta’s demanding playstyle, due to the Swedish international missing 22 games since his arrival in 2022.

There is also concrete interest in Benjamin Sesko despite the RB Leipzig striker rejecting Arsenal during the summer, with the Gunners refusing to offer assurances that the 21-year-old would start over Havertz up front.

Arsenal have also been linked with Viktor Gyokeres after his prolific spell with Sporting Lisbon but there are reportedly ‘reservations’ over the financial commitment towards a player soon to be 27, as well as doubts over his ability to replicate his form in the Premier League.

One player who seemingly is not on Arsenal’s shortlist is Marcus Rashford despite tentative summer interest from the Gunners during the summer.

Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave Manchester United for a new challenge but there are said to be ‘no indications’ that Arsenal will move for the forward, having previously anticipated a significant cost to sign the England star.