Joshua Zirkzee is quickly becoming Arsenal’s number one target to be their next number 9.
The Bologna striker is having a brilliant season in the Italian top flight and is being followed by some of Europe’s top clubs.
Zirkzee keeps improving and was one of the scorers as Bologna all but confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League with a 3-1 win against AS Roma in their last Serie A game.
Arsenal is coveting several strikers to become their main man at the end of this campaign and a report on Tuttosport reveals they have been scouting Zirkzee.
The Gunners have now seen enough to know he is ready to lead their line at the Emirates.
The report claims they are now stepping up their interest in his signature and will look to add him to their group at the Emirates.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Zirkzee is not as prolific as Viktor Gyokeres or Dominic Solanke, whom we also have on our short list.
If we sign the Dutchman instead, it will probably be because he is younger, but we trust the judgement of those in charge of transfers at the club.
They will sign the striker with the right profile who also fits Mikel Arteta’s system.
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Many fans agree that Arsenal need a better finisher as striker, and at least 1 midfielder, maybe two depending on our departures.
The question is who gets benched in this process?
1 midfielder walks into a partnership with Rice, the other is backup and cover.
The striker however, is an interesting question.
If it is a top finisher, then Jesus is most likely a winger, and Havertz is on the bench; whther as no.2 striker or backup midfielder.
I mention this because I am not sure Arsenal are in the market for a top finisher, and obvious starter. Perhaps they are going for a better finisher, but more of a backup/ plan B player.
I don’t think Arteta will bench Havertz in favor of another striker, and to be honest I am not sure Arteta is even considering a striker as a top priority.
I hope I am wrong, but it will be an interesting Summer of both incomings and outgoings.
you make a very good point that underlies the striker debate – and that is who dropped for the new striker to start?
we can’t play with 12 men
so it must be Havertz?
well the facts are that Havertz has started every PL game of 2024 as our central forward, centre of our forward three, I hesitate to say striker, and our record is 12 wins and 1 draw at aggregate of 45 goals to 4 conceded (I did not count Villa when Havertz was inexplicably moved to midfield)
it is an astonishing record that does shout we desperately need a striker
now I agree we could use a more clinical striker alternative to Jesus and Nketiah, for those games where we are frustrated by XI behind the ball low block, or just not clicking on the day
but this is very much our Plan B to our currently very successful Plan A
arguably Trossard is our Plan B, so may be even a Plan C
whatever you call it the new striker is not an automatic striker, in fact may find themselves on the bench much of the time
and you don’t spend £100m for a bench warmer, and the big names may not be happy on the bench
so it may be that Edu and Arteta are looking for a slightly different striker, one that can play across the forward three, e.g. back up for Saka, happy to be part of a squad rather than main main, and costs less than £100m
Toney does not fit that bill
Osimen and Gyrokeyes don’t fit
but may be Zirkee does!
correction – “does NOT shout”
Good points, Durand. Especially about a finisher. After all, we have score more goals than any other team. I know we had a spell before the mini holiday which had most of us believing we needed a striker, but since then we found a good balance and if you have four or five goal scorers then why break it up?
I do think we could improve on Havertz though. Is general game is actually quite good. However, I do feel he needs to improve on his composure in front of goal. That’s not to say move him on. I feel he needs another season at least to find the missing ingredient. Jesus needs to improve too. It may be wise to consider a replacement after next season?
With Jurien Timber back next season I feel we would have much more cover at the back. I would personally be looking at a world class keeper and a potential new midfielder (in case Partey moves on). Other than that, I feel nothing should change. This team is beginning to gel as a unit. It would be foolish to change too much IMO.
Yes! Arsenal SHOULDN’T sign any new no9 striker next summer transfer window. Who is not prolific in goals scoring at the top level of the game. And who will struggle to find his feet firmly on ground in matches for Arsenal. Instead of him to be up to speed and set alight his performance for the team. As from his first outing for Arsenal competitively.
If things go well as it is currently being planned by Arteta. Karl Havertz could next season become a permanent No9 striker for Arsenal. But ge will have to be backed up with a new prolific striker’s signing next summer to complement him. When it comes to lead the line for Arsenal.
In this regard, Arsenal SHOULD not fail to make the right choice of a new top quality clinical finish regular goals scoring striker signing next summer.
Even if the Gunners win the title this season as us are hopeful they will. Arsenal SHOULD still sign my aforesaid new striker.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE is sh–. He has a pitiful 14% goal conversion and has only scored 11 goals from 31 matches this year. He has scored a pitiful 11 goals and 4 assists in an inferior league, so a step up to the premier league would sink him all together into a permanent bench warmer in this Arsenal Team if he ever got lucky to join Arsenal. I would take him to Arsenal only if he was a free agent, in the hope that he would make the squad as a blind gamble.
Joshua Zirkzee is a great player for sure. But he doesn’t seem to be an upgrade to what we already have. His conversion rate is an instant turn off for me. He’s not worthy our ambitions.
Just no way Zirkzee will be an upgrade to any present striker in the squad including even Nketia. It’s a total diasppointment and shame to learn that Arsenal has agreed terms with his entourage.
Gyokeres is the player we should be looking at.
Watkins fits our type of play if we want to win the CL. Go for him now
for sure if Arsenal want to win trophies they should go for Watkins instead of any others strikers people mention above.
more stories emerging that Zirkzee is Arsenal’s preferred summer ‘striker’ target
a cheaper alternative to the £100m big names, but £50m still big money
does anyone know if Zirkzee can also play wide, i.e. across the front three, we know Arteta/Edu value versatility, especially if could provide Saka cover