ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world class forward in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
The Gunners crashed out in the quarter finals on Wednesday night without landing a meaningful blow on Bayern Munich in a drab second-leg 1-0 defeat at the Allianz Arena.
After a first leg 2-2 draw at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s side had just three shots on target in Munich as Bayern defender Joshua Kimmich fired in the 63rd minute winner.
And SunSport understands that the Arsenal hierarchy recognise that Arteta’s squad currently lacks an attacking focal point and clinical edge in the final third.
Arteta has rotated the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in a central striker role this campaign, keeping Arsenal in the hunt for the Premier League title with six games left.
However, that is the position that has ultimately cost them in Europe.
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And the North London club are ready to act quickly in the market to rectify that problem with an acceptance that it is needed to reach the next level.
Havertz – a £65m signing from Chelsea last June – started against Bayern before Jesus was thrown on in the second half, but neither had a meaningful impact.
Jesus has just eight goals in all competitions this term, while Havertz has 10.
Arsenal have previously been interested in landing a traditional No.9, with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres monitored.
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However, SunSport understands Arteta is now keen on bringing in a more versatile, modern forward, one who can influence games down the middle as well as from out wide.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, 24, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, 20, are players of interest, as is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, 28, but his age remains a sticking point.
Arsenal’s plan to strengthen will not just focus on attacking areas, but to provide general depth – something which they currently lack and has led to their recent drop in form.
SunSport understands that the Arsenal hierarchy are concerned with the fatigue that has hit several star names at this stage of the season, highlighted in Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Villa.
The likes of Jesus, skipper Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu have all carried niggling injuries and played through the pain without a much-needed rest period or chance for recovery this season.
Arteta rarely rotates, mainly due to the fact he does not trust fringe players like Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah or Reiss Nelson to step in and make an impact.
The Spanish coach has previously admitted he wants a squad of 22 elite players he can consistently swap in and out, much like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, something Arsenal hope to achieve over the next few windows.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
