sport news An RB Leipzig wonderkid, Europe's most productive forward and TWO Premier ... trends now

sport news An RB Leipzig wonderkid, Europe's most productive forward and TWO Premier ... trends now
sport news An RB Leipzig wonderkid, Europe's most productive forward and TWO Premier ... trends now

sport news An RB Leipzig wonderkid, Europe's most productive forward and TWO Premier ... trends now

Arsenal's electrifying scoring output in 2024 has reportedly not deterred sporting director Edu from compiling an extensive list of striking targets for this summer. 

Among them are familiar names to Premier League fans. Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak and Victor Osimhen have been linked with the north London club in recent transfer windows. 

While Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig pair Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda have made headlines with starring performances this term. 

But there remain a host of other options who could walk through the doors at the Emirates that fans will be intrigued to uncover that, if successful, could prove to be another notch on the increasingly impressive belt of the arsenal transfer chief. 

Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the 10-man list drawn up by the Brazilian and assess their suitability for Mikel Arteta's ever improving side. 

Arsenal's sporting director Edu has reportedly stitched together a 10-man striker shortlist

Arsenal's sporting director Edu has reportedly stitched together a 10-man striker shortlist

Gabriel Jesus has come under fire for an inability to be clinical in front of goal but his injury record is of more concern to the Gunners

Gabriel Jesus has come under fire for an inability to be clinical in front of goal but his injury record is of more concern to the Gunners

Ivan Toney 

Brentford's star man is probably the name at the top of most Arsenal fans' wish list, and for good reason. In his second Premier League campaign last term, the 28-year-old scored 20 goals - a tally only bettered by Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. 

Toney's form would likely have seen him depart the Bees last summer, if not for an eight-month ban for breaching rules. 

Now back in action, he has scored four times in 10 appearances and his recent performance for England - where he scored his maiden goal at international level - further highlighted his superb all round game. 

Arteta has shown a willingness to adapt his style but if he was to continue with a system that primarily favours advanced inside forwards, his central striker needs to be able to contribute in the build-up. 

That's Toney. With just one year remaining on his deal at the Gtech Stadium he might also be one of the cheaper options on this list. 

Verdict: A short-term, win-now option. Go and get him. 8/10.

Ivan Toney scored his first goal for England in the 2-2 draw with Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday

Ivan Toney scored his first goal for England in the 2-2 draw with Belgium at Wembley on Tuesday

Alexander Isak

Arsenal were linked with the Newcastle striker back in his younger days at Real Sociedad, when comparisons to Thierry Henry were abundant but the money to sign him was not forthcoming. 

Several years on, Isak is not as in-demand but that has more to do with the injuries problems that have blighted him since his £60million move in 2022. When fit, the Sweden international has produced some jaw-dropping moments for the Magpies.

Still only 24, he matches the age profile of the Gunners squad and despite Newcastle ambitions of joining the likes of Arsenal at the Premier League top table, Eddie Howe's side will likely be forced to sell a major talent to avoid financial sanctions. 

This offers Arsenal the chance to make do on a glaring oversight of an otherwise impressive recent recruitment record. Isak looks a perfect fit for Arteta's team. 

His passing, creativity, dribbling prowess and, of course, his ability to the ball in the back of the net, would make his arrival at the Emirates a frightening prospect for the rest of the league and Europe. 

Verdict: The best choice on the list. Has the talent in spades and fits the age profile of the squad. 9/10.

Alexander Isak has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, including strikes against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City

Alexander Isak has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, including strikes against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City

Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting Lisbon are desperate to keep hold of Gyokeres, who they signed for a club-record £20m in the summer.

He has fired them to the top of the Portuguese league, has 36 goals in 39 games in all competitions, and is regarded so highly that they reportedly turned down a £73m bid from Chelsea for him in January.

The 25-year-old has also registered 14 assists, highlighting his eye for the final pass. Additionally, the Swede is in the 99th percentile among strikers in Europe for shot-creating actions, progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches in the opposition box. 

The only sincere objection that can be made to his ridiculous record is the level of competition. Gyokeres is playing outside a top-five league and, while free-scoring in Europe, his five goals in nine games have come in its second-tier competition. 

Gyokeres could quote rightly point to how he has improved in every season of his career but ultimately, if the Portuguese side demand the kind of sums they turned down from Chelsea, it's hard to see Arsenal pursuing him above others in this list. 

Verdict: Hard to see him being worth it at the price Sporting will likely demand. 6/10.

Viktor Gyokeres has 50 goal contributions in all competitions this season for Sporting Lisbon

Viktor Gyokeres has 50 goal contributions in all competitions this season for Sporting Lisbon

Victor Osimhen 

The Napoli striker's stock has unquestionably fallen in the last 12 months, after a breakout 2022-23 season in which he became the first African footballer to win the Capocannoniere and helped fire the Neapolitans to a first league title in 33 years. 

Factors on and off the field have played a part in the 25-year-old's drop off and make his £112m release clause less palatable. 

But Osimhen's 2022-23 outings showcased how devastating he can be when steadfastly serviced by the team. Whether that would happen at the Emirates is the biggest question, at present, he may be the worst fit. 

He does not possess the passing and link up abilities of any of the strikers above. However, his strengths are unrivalled by any forward operating in European football today. 

Signing him would be a risk and would necessitate a major shift in Arteta's attacking gameplan but there is plenty of room for the Nigerian to grow under the stewardship of the Arsenal boss. 

Verdict: A huge gamble, probably not worth taking. £112m is a lot of money. 5/10.

Victor Osimhen has not managed to replicate his stunning 2022-23 campaign for a Napoli team that have struggled in their title defence

Victor Osimhen has not managed to replicate his stunning 2022-23 campaign for a Napoli team that have struggled in their title defence

Lois Openda 

The goalscoring exploits of anyone not named Harry Kane in the Bundesliga have understandably been overlooked this season. Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy boasts an impressive record of 22 goals in 20 games, while Openda has enjoyed a similarly fruitful campaign with Leipzig. 

The fact that the Belgian has achieved three consecutive 20-plus scoring seasons, each year with a different club in a different league, with each move a step up from the last, should not be

read more from dailymail.....

PREV sport news The inside story of Kalvin Phillips' dramatic demise at West Ham - SAMI MOKBEL ... trends now
NEXT Goal of the year contender and 15-year-old rising star combine to hand City the ...