Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker has taken a promising turn, with reports suggesting that Canadian forward Jonathan David is open to a move to North London – and crucially, his salary expectations are within reach for the Gunners. The Lille striker has been on the radar of multiple Premier League clubs, but Arsenal are now believed to be leading the race thanks to their Champions League status and attractive project under Mikel Arteta.
David is a financially viable option
David, who has netted 24 goals in all competitions this season, has just one year left on his contract with Lille. That puts the French club under pressure to cash in this summer or risk losing him for free in 2026. According to TeamTalk, David’s representatives have made it clear that while he is seeking a fair wage package, he is not demanding unrealistic terms – making him a more financially viable option than some of the other strikers Arsenal have considered.
A versatile forward who fits Arteta’s system
What makes David such a compelling target for Arsenal is his versatility and work rate. The 24-year-old is capable of playing as a lone striker or in a two-man partnership, and he’s shown the ability to link up play, press aggressively, and make clever runs behind defences –
traits Arteta values highly. His intelligence off the ball and calm finishing in the box would add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attacking setup, especially as Gabriel Jesus continues to struggle with injury setbacks and Kai Havertz remains a hybrid option rather than a pure No.9.
Importantly, David is also entering his prime years and has experience in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League. Arsenal are expected to face competition for his signature, but the player’s openness to joining the project and Lille’s need to sell could give Berta and Arteta the edge in finalising a deal swiftly.
Would you be excited to see Jonathan David at the Emirates next season, Gooners? Let us know in the comments below.
Michelle M
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We need this lad – could be the difference between silverware and nothing. Hope Mikel sees the bigger picture and hires him soon before he is gone elsewhere. BTW cannot imagine EPL’s 17th and 16th and 17th ranked teams are fighting for the EL, while we end the season empty handed.
I like this guy, but I wouldn’t just get him and think our striker issues are sorted.
Seeing that we would probably get him for quite a bargain (I know I’m assuming here), we should still have enough to cough up for another striker. We need depth.
That is if we manage to offload Jesus.
We won’t offload Jesus. He’s injured until after the window closes
Michelle, I think David’s contract ends this June. He’s my choice. I’ve not seen a lot of him but what I have is very impressive.
You are correct Jax, his contract expires next month.Its seems to me a no brainer to recruit David who would be a good fit for the close passing game preferred by Arteta .He has all the skills of Jesus, but is a better finisher ,faster, and is rarely injured.Signing David on a free would give us scope to sign another central striker without too much impact on our budget parameters.
He’s a good player, but I do wonder, when a player like him is available on a free transfer, why no club outside of their national federation sign them on a pre-contract in January.
@Herr Drier
Thank you. That being said, I don’t see him as such a prolific striker as others here do. People here are constantly going on about the difference between weaker European teams vs the EPL. And watching this guy, I don’t see him pulling up trees at AFC. I’d shift Martinelli up front and save the cash. Just my opinion…🤷🏾
NYG, like you, I also don’t see him being a prolific scorer in the PL. He could be a good squad player for us though.
@ Herr Drier
I hear ya. He might turn out to be a good impact sub, or a good partner in a 4-4-2 set up.
If we do indeed sign him, we need another striker. He is good but not the powerful tall striker we need. He is similar to Lacazette in thexway he plays. I don’t see him being our main striker. Sesko or Gyocores to replace Haverz and David to replace Jesus would be ideal.
Reggie, apparently there is a bit of friction between Mikel and Berta over which striker should be signed. Mikel wants Sesko and Berta wants Gyokeres.
why not go for both Sesko and Gyokeres , AND David. In all honesty we only have Jesus as a striker who is not prolific, Havertz as a sort of striker , also not prolific, trossard more of a utility sub, also not prolific and Martinelli, not really a striker nor prolific. Butler odejayi nowhere near the levels , same as Khayon Edwards. oth kids championship level at best
Sesko has always been our main focus but it can change.
We need a good striker, Sesko decided to stay when we needed him most, we could have won something with him this season,but he stayed, pls we need a prolific finisher that will give us 20 goal and above in a season, I believe Victor Gyokeres will do that.
David is like G Jesus, we can’t rely on him.
Better keep Kai to deputize any good striker we will buy
Our F/ director should go ahead and buy Viktor G… 130k/per week after tax has been agreed,all publication from Portugal are quoting
We will see what happens after their( Sporting CP)last cup final on 25th May with. Benfica
I’d go for Lee Chapman myself. 🤣😂One for the older fans there. 😉👍🙄
He was still better than Hawley and Hankin. Mind you, that doesn’t say a lot.
I’d be happy to get him but only if we already have Gyorkeres or Sesko and this guy is a 2nd striker/rotation player.
We need at least 2 strikers this window, reliance on 1 will be our downfall
I wish we offload kai and jesus and get David
I’ve read elsewhere today that he said that the Premier League is very fast and that he’d prefer LaLiga.
It’s been so long without a dedicated striker I don’t think the lads will adapt to a dedicated striker. Besides, Arteta was at City when they played with a false 9 so it’s a style he is used to. Jonathan David is the perfect fit as he can create opportunities for players flowing through and score himself. He’s faster than Merino and Havertz and runs with the ball better than both of them. ( League stats show Merino is one of the least mobile players. Only GKs and Liverpools big lad at the back walk more )