#67 - Three forwards, the way forward

Transfer insiders suggest Arsenal will target not two, but three new forwards this summer - and it's the right approach

Arsenal have to raise the level of their attack and to do it properly, we need three new forwards, not just the two most expected.

For too long, Arsenal’s bench has been filled with left-backs and academy kids. To compete on all fronts in the modern era of two games every week and five subs, Arsenal need to stack their attack.

The likes of David Ornstein are now suggesting that’s exactly what the club are looking to do. Raheem Sterling has gone back to Chelsea, he needs to be replaced and upgraded. We need a new striker, with Gabriel Jesus out for the remainder of the year. We also need fresh qualities injected on the left and one of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard may leave.

We’ve lacked threat and out-and-out winger power for some time, I’ve been crying out for this for ages, with Martinelli and Saka the only natural wingers in the squad.

We can now be fairly certain that Benjamin Sesko is the chosen centre-forward; talks are progressing well, according to a number of well-placed sources.

Sesko, 22, is an interesting choice. A player with huge explosion potential, he’s probably doing more than Alexander Isak was at 22, so you can see why Arsenal feel he’s a good investment. However, he is a bit rough around the edges. This means Arsenal’s wide additions may need to be slightly more experienced and ready to hit the ground running.

What’s clear to me is that Arsenal require a headline signing who can come in and start on the left.

The headline winger

This player ideally needs to be a ceiling raiser. The only player to offer this would probably be Rodrygo. The Brazilian is an elite player who has done it all at Real Madrid. I think his form there suffered a bit due to having to play on the right, but we’d give him that left-wing role and allow him to flourish.

He’s still just 24, so approaching his prime years. The cost is likely close to the £80million mark, but it still stands out as potentially the best signing Arsenal could make this summer.

The ‘next best’ would probably be Nico Williams. He’s been on Arteta’s wishlist for some time now, but Arsenal cannot afford to wait for him any longer. He either needs to want this move now, or we must move on.

Another name that I’d be happy with that keeps cropping up is Anthony Gordon. There are some murmurs of not being too happy at Newcastle and his end product and directness could work really well on that left side.

The ‘third’ forward

This is the Sterling upgrade. Leroy Sane is the obvious one, available on a free transfer, it seems sensible and cost-effective to bring in Sane, a player who can play on both sides and has experience at the very top level. Given he’s 29, there will be fears around his age and effectiveness dropping off like Sterling’s did. There is always that risk, but so long as his wages are sensible, I would be open to a 2+1 contract offer for the German, I think he can add a lot off the pitch too.

We now know that Bryan Mbuemo was a target for Arsenal for this ‘third forward’ role. What that shows is that the club are willing to assign serious funds to this position. That opens the door to a potentially more exciting and younger signing. Someone like Antoine Semenyo would be my choice.

What Arsenal need is an attacking set of players that offer Mikel Arteta different tactical solutions and impact from the bench. If the club were to sign Rodrygo as their ‘headline forward’, he is a bit more of an inside forward, comfortable in central zones. I’d still want the club to give Arteta some touchline pace and power, and someone like Semenyo, who has already done it in the Premier League makes a lot of sense. Unlike Mbuemo, he can do it on both sides too.

So my choice would be Sesko, Rodrygo and Semenyo. That’s going to cost a significant amount - you’re looking at £ 200 million. So, for that to be possible, you probably need to find a buyer for Trossard, and ideally a Saudi club. There’s been interest previously, so if the club could net £ 30 million from his sale, it would really help to reshuffle this attack and take it to one of the best in the league for both the now and the longer term.

What’s clear is that there’s plenty to do, so the club must get moving. The first deal of the summer now looks likely to be Kepa, one less job to do, but more exciting things to come.