5 strikers Arsenal could target for next season

Arsenal's current strikers Olivier Giroud and Danny WelbeckArsenal have hit their usual low in the middle of the season crashing out of the Emirates FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in the same week having already stumbled in the race for the Premier League title. While Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey can only do so much, the lack of a world-class striker is what continues to plague Arsenal's first legit title chase. With all due respect to Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck, Arsenal need a striker who can come in, settle and start off their season on the front foot. While the Frenchman has set up multiple goals for his teammates, with the likes of Ozil, Ramsey and even Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, Arsenal need an out-and-out finisher, a Sergio Aguero, a Robert Lewandowski and the like. In reality, those kind of players are one in a million finds and so, we look at the strikers Arsenal can target next season. Ones who can handle the pressure of being in a club as big as Arsenal and – if not accustomed yet – to the physicality and the pace of the Premier League. Given Arsenal's cash reserves, Wenger is reportedly ready to break the bank to sign a good finisher.

#5 Mauro Icardi

Mauro Icardi is one of the underrated gems Europe has seen play this season. The Argentine – originally from Barcelona's La Masia – burst onto the scene with his performances for Serie A side Sampdoria. Two years there caught the attention of plenty of top clubs and he eventually chose to sign for Inter Milan where he continues to play today.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is said to be a big fan of Icardi. His patience when on the ball will probably stand out from other young – he's only 23 – strikers. His hold-up play is excellent often willing to release some of his quicker teammates through on goal.

Yet, Icardi's biggest strength is his finishing. While he's suffered from a serious knee injury this season, he's still contributed 12 goals and 1 assist in 26 games for Roberto Mancini's men. Icardi is also capable of the spectacular often willing to take a shot from outside the box.

The biggest disadvantage Icardi would have is that he's probably the slowest one on this list and while Arsenal are built to attack on the counter, smart positioning and timing could help Icardi flourish given he has the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez to supply passes.

#4 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Unlike Icardi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has an abundance of pace. The Gabon international has been in scintillating form this season outscoring everyone in the Bundesliga and mostly everyone in Europe barring the likes of Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain.

Aubameyang – signed from St Etienne – three seasons ago has grown into one of Europe's top strikers mainly depending on the usage of his pace on the counter while also perfecting the art of creating and scoring from tight spaces in the box.

Originally from the AC Milan youth setup, Aubameyang travelled to many clubs in the Ligue 1 and Serie A attracting the interest of then-Borussia Dortmund manager, Jurgen Klopp. The German bought 'Auba' and put him alongside Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski and for an upcoming striker, it was an amazing education.

At Arsenal, Aubameyang could potentially flourish. The Gunners like to play on the counter – like he does – and with the likes of Ozil – Europe's best creator – in their side, all Aubameyang has to do is look up and wait for the ball to come to his feet.

#3 Paulo Dybala

One for the future, Paulo Dybala is a superstar in the making. He's got pace, he's got great control and he can score all sorts of goals. Even Lionel Messi acknowledged Dybala's talent and said Dybala was the one player who could succeed him. That's huge coming from one of the two best players in the world.

At Juventus, Dybala often plays as the centre of a front three converting crosses from the wings and through-balls from the middle. His burst of accelaration often sees him blind past defenders with the ball at his feet and he tends to hold on to the ball for that extra second before scoring showing signs of maturity and patience.

Dybala would be an excellent signing for Arsenal only because he can do everything a striker can. As an out and out finisher, he can really fit into team improving them drastically. While his height can be limiting to the kind of crosses Arsenal are used to putting in for Giroud, Ozil and Alexis will relish playing those snappy one-twos with the Argentine.

#2 Romelu Lukaku

Its safe to say Chelsea made a huge mistake selling Romelu Lukaku to Everton. The big Belgian is one of the leading goalscorers in England – alongside Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane – and his improvement from a young rash teenager to a proper striker is admirable.

While he's got a natural build of strength and pace, Lukaku has added composure and finishing to his list of traits that often help him outsmart defenders and keepers in the game. Everton make the best use of Lukaku's pace by letting him play on the shoulders of defenders and then releasing him with one accurate ball.

At Arsenal, he'll only get a lot lot better. Given his stregth and pace, he can combine the best of Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck. His finishing is also better than the two strikers Arsenal currently have making him one hell of a player.

However, Lukaku will not come cheap. He's signed a long-term contract with the Toffees and since he's had already had previous Premier League experience, Lukaku will cost Arsenal a premium.

#1 Alvaro Morata

Widely touted as one of Arsenal's best chances of getting a good striker, Alvaro Morata could really galvanise the Gunners bringing in pace, panache and presence in the box. He's not as big and strong as Lukaku but is able to score a lot more goals thanks to his clever movement in the box.

While Morata is usually used as a runner into the box from the middle, given how Arsenal play, can make the most amount of use spending more time inside the box. At Juventus, the Spaniard is often released by a long-ball or a through ball and he's got the pace and the composure to finish off chances with ease – like he did against Barcelona in the Champions League last season.

His mercurial run against Bayern Munich in this season's Champions League showcased his speed, dribbling ability and trickery making him an unpredictable element to defenders. However, given the strength and the pace of the Premier League, the former Real Madrid man might take a little time to settle down.

Using break-away athletes like Theo Walcott and Sanchez beside could do Arsenal the world of good. With Ozil and Santi Cazorla right behind him, he'll have plenty of chances to put away.

Edited by Staff Editor