Former Arsenal favourite Robert Pires has suggested that much of the clubs problems are due to a lack of firepower up front. The French wing legend said that a new striker is a priority for the club during the summer to give the team options and to relieve pressure on Olivier Giroud.
Pires played 189 games for the Gunners and was an integral part of a team that became the greatest in the clubs history. The “Invincibles” team of which Pires was a part was the last great Arsene Wenger side and the club has since gone on a trophy drought. Pires knows better than most what the current team needs after spending some time training with the players during last season.
So who could Arsenal buy to add extra scoring prowess to the team this summer?
Diego Costa
The Atletico Madrid hitman has exploded onto the scene over the last 18 months and is now among the most feared forwards in Europe. The Spain international has been at the forefront of an Atletico team that is challenging in both La Liga and the Champions League this season. Interestingly, the Spanish club needs to sell their star man and his buyout clause is thought to be 35 million Euros. Costa would prove a potent partner for Giroud and will surely be someone Wenger is looking at. However, just about every other big club will also be keeping tabs on Costa, with Chelsea reportedly leading the chase for his signature.
Karim Benzema
Wenger has been a long term admirer of French ace Benzema, and the addition of the hitman would add extra strength to the Arsenal attack. Sadly, it seems the time to get the Real Madrid forward was last summer when his future at the Bernabeu was in doubt. This season Benzema has fired 17 goals for Los Blancos and is once again a key component in the Madrid team. Prizing him away from the Spanish giant would be hard, and would certainly cost a lot.
Edinson Cavani
Rumors have persisted that the Uruguayan is unsettled with Paris Saint Germain since joining the French club in the summer. Cavani is entering his prime at 27-years old and has carved a skillful reputation with strong finishing. Arsene Weneger has expressed interest in the past, but will he stump up the cash to take the player from Paris?
Other Options
While the big name strikers of the European game would prove fantastic for the club and fans alike, the chances of securing such a name is uncertain. Wenger is unlikely to compete with 50 million bids coming from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Instead the boss may have to look at talented youngsters such as Kevin Volland from Germany or Real Sociedad´s in form striker Antoine Griezmann. Also, if winger Julian Draxler arrives from Schalke, Wenger could instead move Lukas Podolski or Theo Walcott into more advanced roles.