Mikel Arteta has perhaps received the biggest hint yet that he requires not one, but two new strikers this summer. football.london understands the Spaniard is looking to add two forwards ahead of next season, one of which could be a wide forward, but Alexandre Lacazette's recent comments suggest that number may need to rise.
Speaking to Canal Plus about his future, the striker, whose contract expires in June, revealed that he is in talks with 'a lot of clubs' and admitted his former side Lyon remains an option.
"I have never cut contact with Lyon since I left," he said. "I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are really close. Lyon know that I am free, they have to come with a proposal."
READ MORE: Arsenal make Alexandre Lacazette transfer decision amid controversial exit comments
The 30-year-old then reiterated his desire to play in Europe again, especially in the Champions League. "I want to play in Europe, it’s been a long time since I played in the Champions League, I’m missing it. It’s a little more complicated, nothing is impossible in life, but it’s a little more complicated," Lacazette added.
These quotes certainly don't suggest the Frenchman intends to stay at the Emirates beyond the summer and with Eddie Nketiah also set to leave once his deal runs out, Arsenal face a major shortage upfront once the season concludes. Folarin Balogun could be the only first-team striker at Arteta's disposal when pre-season gets underway, although you would like to think that at least one new attacking addition is made by then.
Plenty of names have been linked with a move to the Gunners including Darwin Nunez, Victor Osimhen, Jonathan David, Alexander Isak and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Several options are out there, but narrowing the list down and taking interest to the next level must soon become a priority for technical director Edu, who will want to fend off interest from any competition.
Unfortunately in this day and age of football, top quality strikers don't come cheap and the club must be prepared to make serious investments in order to secure Arteta's preferred targets. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but with other areas of the squad also in need of some improvements, being clever in what is expected to be a busy and expensive market will be key.
Converting Gabriel Martinelli into more of a centre forward can't be ruled out, with the Brazilian having trained in that role previously. Meanwhile, signing a winger who can also operate centrally such as Cody Gakpo would offer Arteta much-needed depth. Additionally, a big name striker would become the new main man going forward, taking over from the recently departed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
These are all possibilities that should be considered by Arteta and no doubt Lacazette's comments have made his own intentions clearer ahead of crunch talks at the end of the season.
