For many years now Arsenal fans have been calling for a striker to be signed. This summer is no different. The club lodged a bid for Jamie Vardy, the Premier Leagues second top scorer last term, but he decided to stay with champions Leicester City. The bid showed the intent of the club and that they are in fact in the market for a striker.
With Danny Welbeck out for the majority of next season, Arsenal’s current striker options are limited. Olivier Giroud has been given three weeks off before he must report for training at the start of August, which leaves Theo Walcott and Chuba Akpom as the only available strikers for the start of the season. Arsene Wenger is not one for rushing players back to full fitness so it’s looking likely that Giroud will not be available for the beginning of the season.
Akpom was on loan with Hull City last season and has been told by Arsenal that he will not spend another spell away from Arsenal this season. And that means that he is currently in the frame for first team football as things stand, unless Arsenal go out and buy a striker before the season kicks off. But time is running out and any new player coming in will need time to settle in to a new club and possibly a new country.
Of course, there is also the option of Yaya Sanogo, but with two unsuccessful loan spells previously, it seems Akpom has moved ahead of Sanogo in the pecking order. This news may not be what the Arsenal fans want to hear as they have been quite vocal with their opinions on buying a new striker.
The young striker has been in fine form during pre-season scoring four goals in as many games. With Wenger being renowned for giving youngsters a chance, Akpom is giving his manager a tough choice to make with the Premier League just days away. A striker crisis is exactly what gave the likes of Nicolas Anelka his chance at the club and if Akpom gets the nod against Liverpool, let’s hope he’ll have a similar impact for the Gunners.
