Do Arsenal need to splash out the cash on a striker?

Bergkamp scored 87 goals for Arsenal

Ever since Robin Van Persie left to Manchester United in 2012 Arsenal fans have been crying out for a world class striker to fill the void and compete alongside Henry or Bergkamp as one of their best ever forward men. However in spite of more rumours than sweets in a pick and mix Gunners supporters have been left disappointed, often at Wenger, for not spending big on a front man to go that extra mile and finish a season victorious. It is peculiar that the Frenchman decides to spend money elsewhere, the arrivals of Ozil and Sanchez, totaling £70 million, have proven big successes in London. So where has the money gone each season and is the current transfer window Wenger's last chance to spend up top?

2012/2013 

Notable Ins: Olivier Giroud (£13 million), Santi Cazorla (£15 million)

Notable Outs: Robin Van Persie (£24 million), Alex Song (£15 million)

2013/2014

Notable Ins: Mesut Ozil (£42 million)

Notable Outs: Gervinho (£8 million)

2014/2015 

Notable Ins: Alexis Sanchez (£31 million), Mathieu Debuchy (£12 million), Danny Welbeck (£16 million), Callum Chambers (£16 million), Gabriel Paulista (£14 million)

Notable Outs: Thomas Vermaelen (£15 million)

2015/2016 

Notable Ins: Petr Cech (£11 million)

Notable Outs: /

2016/2017 

Notable Ins: Granit Xhaka (£32 million)

Notable Outs: /

Giroud arrived from Montpellier in 2013

All in all Arsenal have signed just two strikers in the past 5 seasons, spending £28 million up top. Compare this to Chelsea's £32 million move for the young Batshuyai, Manchester City's £38 million on Aguero and £28 million on Bony or Manchester United's £36 million for a 19 year old. It's easy to see why Arsenal fans are frustrated with Wenger's spending - clubs are spending more on individual strikers than the Gunners have spent up front in the past 5 seasons!

Goals scored by teams in 2015/16 

Aguero is undoubtedly one of the most talented forwards in the EPL

Manchester City: 71
Spurs: 69
Leicester: 68
West Ham:  65
Arsenal: 65

Goals scored by teams in 2014/15

Manchester City: 83
Chelsea: 73
Arsenal: 71
Manchester United: 62
Spurs: 58

These stats don't suggest Arsenal are struggling for goals, they are only ever consistently beaten by Manchester City's monstrous attack of Aguero, De Bruyne and Silva. However Arsenal fans know that they should be topping the goal scoring charts with the creative talents of Ozil, Sanchez, Ramsey and Cazorla at their disposal, the man leading the line is often the scapegoat for any missed chances...

Are Giroud and Welbeck good enough to win the League? 

I think Giroud fits Arsenal's style very well, he has the ability to hold up the ball and allow the likes of Sanchez and Ozil run past him, alternatively he offers scrumptious flicks which all too often result in goals. Giroud's aerial ability is superior to the likes of Aguero, Kane, Sturridge and Lukaku however all too often his only problems are pace and being clinical in front of goal.
I think Giroud would be well suited with a strike partner, Lacazette for example, who could feed off his flicks ons and also return the favour. At his best Giroud could score well over 20 goals in my opinion, on reflection the £12 million transfer of Giroud was very valuable given the Frenchman's 57 goals in 135 games for Arsenal. Giroud is a very good asset in a squad and Arsenal should certainly keep hold of the 29 year old despite speculation of a move to Napoli.

On the other hand I am less of a fan of Danny Welbeck. 'Building for the future' and 'potential' are often associated with the now-25 year old. The former Manchester United man has been set back by injuries as of late, one ruling him out of the opening months of the 2015/16 season, a second knee injury saw him miss out on the Euros and is only to return to Arsenal's first team until 2017 at the earliest. Like Giroud Welbeck is all too often wasteful and doesn't possess say Kane or Aguero's clinical finish. Whilst Welbeck does offer pace and power in equal measure up top he is not a star man for a top team and I can't see him ever surpassing more than 10 goals in a season in an Arsenal shirt.

However neither of these players can change a game on their own, look no further than Harry Kane's marvelous strike in the North London derby or Aguero's dazzling run and finish against Norwich or Liverpool.

Which strikers is Arsene Wenger rumoured to be interested in?

Since the start of the transfer window Jamie Vardy has turned down the opportunity to play for Arsenal in spite of an agreed £20 million fee. Furthermore long term target, Gonzalo Higuain, left Napoli for Juventus for a fee of £75 million to become the third biggest transfer of all time. Who is left in the market to start up front for Arsenal next season?

Wissam Ben Yedder (Toulouse) - The 25 year old is valued at about £8 million however Arsenal are not the only EPL team interested, West Ham and Tottenham are also thought to be in contact with the Frenchman. Ben Yedder scored 17 times in Ligue 1 last season in addition to 5 assists. Many feel that whilst the forward is solid he is not the star man Arsenal are in desperate need for and would not start ahead of Giroud.

Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) - Arsenal reportedly offered £29 million for the Frenchman however Lyon are not willing to part with the man who scored 21 goals last season for a fee less than £40 million. Once again Arsenal are not the only Premier League team searching his signature, West Ham have also seen a bid rejected as they look to step up on big man Andy. Lacazette is remarkably quick and has the clinical sharpness of a machete, something Giroud and Welbeck only dream of. Lacazette would be a perfect fit at Arsenal, he would certainly link up well with Sanchez and Ozil and I reckon would win Arsenal the title within 2 seasons at the club.

Edison Cavani (PSG) - Probably the least likely move for Wenger given a certain Ibrahimovic's move away from France this summer. The former Napoli man is valued at around £40 million thanks to his prolific form in front of goal and versatility as a wide man or lone striker. The 29 year old would be widely accepted by Arsenal fans however a move is more likely than not not on the cards after the Uruguayan said he was eager to take Ibra's striker spot at PSG.


How will Arsenal most likely line up against Liverpool on the 13th of August if their squad stays the same? 

Cech keeps the goalkeeper spot after winning the Golden glove last season.

Monreal stays as Arsenal's first choice left back ahead of Gibbs after a solid 2015/16 campaign.

Koscielny is by far Arsenal's first choice central defender after impressing for France at the Euros.

With Mertesacker injured until 2017 unless Wenger takes action in the transfer market Gabriel or Chambers will be forced to start alongside the Frenchman. I would opt for Chambers as he is less prone to individual errors.

Blistering Bellerin is sure to start so long as Manchester City don't come calling!

New boy Granit Xhaka will hope to dictate play with well weighted through balls and crunching tackles from the centre of the pitch. Alongside him is Ramsey who in my opinion was the most complete midfielder at the Euros in a handful of impressive performances for Wales.Alternatively Coquelin may come in for more tactical/cagey affairs.

Ramsey may alternate with Cazorla in the more defensive midfield role. The 31 year old Spaniard has returned to full fitness after seeing an inspiring first half of the season display cut short by injury.

Sanchez will be hoping to maintain his Copa America form for Arsenal this season in spite of a slight injury concern which has seen him out of pre-season in the USA.

Ozil will start on the opposite flank to Sanchez however he will adopt a free roaming role to find the pockets of space in between Liverpool's midfield and defense which is where he is most prolific.

Assuming Arsenal are quiet in the transfer market Giroud will act as their main focal point as a lone striker. Wenger will be hoping the Frenchman can challenge Liverpool's new boy Matip in the air as well as offering the esquisite hold up play Giroud is known for.

Alternatively if Wenger goes on a spending spree... 

Arsenal are linked with a £20 million move for Germany and Valencia central defender Mustafi, who featured at the Euros for Germany.
Likelihood: 4/5

Leicester's Mahrez may also come into the Arsenal set up in place of Cazorla which would also shift Ozil centrally as a CAM (his preferred position). Mahrez is a natural winger who can beat a man and put in a wicked cross, something Arsenal have been lacking?
Likelihood: 3/5

Lacazette would start if he was ever to wear a red and white jersey. Whilst I believe he would be effective partnered alongside Giroud it would be a startling decision to drop Ozil, Sanchez or Mahrez for the former Montpellier man.
Likelihood: 3/5

I think Arsenal would win the league with this potential team, don't forget the likes of Giroud, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Elneny, Wilshire and the promising Iwobi would be options on the bench and provide rotation in an Arsenal team that all too often fades in the later stages of the Premier League. Furthermore Mertesacker and Welbeck will return from injury in 2017 and provide further squad depth to an already talented side. However I don't think the signings will materialise and Wenger will be left with another underwhelming third place!

Prediction: 3rd place
Top Scorer: Alexis Sanchez
Player of the Season: Aaron Ramsey
Young Player of the Season: Hector Bellerin