Arsenal finished the summer transfer window with just Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as the forward options going into the season. A lot of pressure has been placed on both, with a heavy fixture schedule due to the Europa League.
However, both strikers started in the Gunners’ 1-0 Europa League group stage victory against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday evening. It was the first time that the pair started in a competitive game together this season. This was then followed up Nketiah being used as a winger when he came on against Southampton on Sunday.
If this becomes a regular occurrence, then it could open up a new transfer possibility for Edu, as an additional forward would need to be signed. Arsenal could return for the previous transfer target in Jonathan David, but they face competition from London rivals Chelsea.
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According to the French news outlet Jeunes Footeux, Chelsea are interested in signing Lille striker David in January. The Canada international has had an impressive start to the campaign.
Despite Gabriel Jesus’ arrival, Edu still needs to add more firepower to Arteta’s options in the upcoming transfer windows. Eddie Nketiah and Jesus will need more goal support from different sources in the team. David has European experience, especially after playing in the Champions League last season, as he led his Lille side to the knockout stages of European's elite competition.
The Gunners' boss has been utilising Jesus as a striker throughout the early weeks of the season. However, his comments before the start of the campaign about the Brazilian suggests that he also wants to use him in a different role, more specifically the wing position. The same also applies to Nketiah, who has already played on the wing, as seen against PSV on Thursday evening.
But for the Spaniard to continue utilising this option, another forward must be signed to provide depth alongside Nketiah and Jesus. The Gunners have been given a chance to do this by signing David from Lille.
Speaking about Jesus, Arteta said: "His versatility is well known. Now we are using him as a nine. He can play as a winger, off the left and the right. You can play with two strikers as we have done in pre-season as and change the shape a little bit. He gives us a lot of flexibility."
Arsenal are long-term admirers of David. Their interest in him dates back to his time in Belgium with Gent before he joined Lille in 2020. If the Gunners were to sign the forward, he would become the second attack-minded player that Edu has signed from the French side after first acquiring Nicolas Pepe in 2019, which ultimately failed to work out.
David was available for a transfer in the summer, and reportedly for a £47m transfer fee. Speaking to Radio Canada, David’s agent Nick Mavromaras said: "For us, the objective is to finish the season in Lille, but it will be his last season there for several reasons."
However, his dip in form towards the end of the last season meant that he was unable to secure a big move away from the French side.
With David’s contract set to have only have two years remaining beyond January, it means that Arsenal could sign him for a bargain deal. And with Chelsea also reportedly interested in the forward, it could push Edu to complete a transfer.
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