5 stunning forwards who could replace Olivier Giroud at Arsenal

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud

With Olivier Giroud yet to convince that he can cut it as the sole source of goals for a title challenging outfit, and with little in the way of back up behind himm, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is likely to be in the market for attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window.

The Evening Standard have today suggested a number of forward players that are currently on the Arsenal boss’s shopping list, so here we take a look at the stats behind his reported targets.

Karim Benzema

Real Madrid forward Benzema has long been linked with a move to Arsenal, having never been truly accepted by the famously hard-to-please Bernabeu faithful. The Frenchman has 15 league goals in 25 appearances in La Liga this season, but has hit a hot streak recently with seven of his goals coming in the nine games since the resumption of the league after the winter break.

Karim Benzema

The 26-year-old also has four Champions League goals this season, including two in the last-16 win over Schalke last week.

Only two members of the Real Madrid squad (Angel Di Maria and Isco) have created more chances than Benzema’s 40 this season, with the Frenchman out-creating both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital.Alvaro Morata

Another frustrated at playing second fiddle to the likes of Bale and Ronaldo, Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has also been linked with the Gunners.

Alvaro Morata

Morata has played 13 La Liga fixtures this season, with 12 of those coming from the substitute’s bench. However, despite his game time being sparse, Morata has netted three goals and created six chances.

The Spaniard has also won an impressive 68% of his contested aerial duels hinting at a suitability to playing as a lone striker role in the Premier League, although it remains to be seen as to whether Real Madrid will allow the highly-rated 22-year-old youth product to leave the Bernabeu.

Julian Draxler

The ‘Will they? Won’t they?’ saga of the transfer window – Schalke attacker Julian Draxler was the Ross to Arsene Wenger’s Rachel, with Draxler looking destined to join the club throughout the window.

Julian Draxler

Probably the most likely of the list to move to the club in the summer, Draxler has featured in 16 league games for Schalke this season, scoring one goal. The 20-year-old has featured largely from unfavoured wide areas, from where he has provided four assists, but is said to be seen as a potential central striker by Wenger.

Only five players in the Bundesliga have completed more take ons than Draxler, who has rounded his man on 75 occasions.

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann

Real Sociedad winger Griezmann has caught the eye of the Premier League, having scored 15 goals in 24 La Liga appearances this season.

Also linked with Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea, the Frenchman has already surpassed the ten goals he scored last season, posting a conversion rate of 23% since the start of the current campaign.

The 22-year-old has also created 24 chances for his team-mates, the third highest of any Sociedad player in La Liga this season, while he has also contributed defensively with 24 interceptions and 34 tackles.

Mario Mandzukic

Mario Mandzukic

Mandzukic is Bayern Munich’s top scorer in the Bundesliga this season, with 14 goals, but finds his place under threat due to the summer arrival of Borussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski. Mandzukic has hit the target with 70% of his shots this season and boasts a conversion rate of 28% in domestic competition.

He has also scored two goals in European competition, while he has five assists across league and Europe this season. The 27-year-old has also won 54 headed duels in the Bundesliga this season, at a success rate of 46%.