While it was a brilliant team performance from Arsenal in the final of the Asia Trophy; with Theo Walcott having proved to be in great form after our young striker Chuba Akpom hit a hat-trick in the opening game, the issue of the Gunners needing to sign a striker was highlighted once more.
One of the few player4s against Everton on that final who struggled was Olivier Giroud and that will not have escaped the attention of Arsene Wenger. I am not going to be too hard on the big Frenchman because he has played some great games for us but it does show once again that we can not always rely on him, as Thierry Henry suggested.
So assuming that the boss is planning to strengthen his striking options, could the two Arsenal transfer rumours in the papers this weekend indicate his targets. The Daily Star reports that Edin Dzeko, who is thought to be on his way out of Man City, would prefer to stay in the Premier League and that Arsenal are seriously considering making an offer. He is a Giroud sort of player and so would be a similar focal point for our attack.
The other forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, is a different sort of striker with bags of pace. And the fact that the Daily Star has revealed that the German club´s director Michael Zorc has spoken about their reluctance to sell tells me that there really is interest from Arsenal.
He said, “We rely heavily on Aubameyang – that is no secret.
“I’ve heard a lot about this (a transfer to Arsenal) but I can say very clearly that it is blocked for him. He is simply not for sale.”
The report claims that we have already had one bid rejected and that Wenger may go back with a better offer, unless he decides that Dzeko would be the better fit. Which would you prefer?