Everyone knows what Arsenal’s biggest strength is: their defence.
Mikel Arteta’s side are simply incredible at the back, as evidenced by them conceding just 17 goals in the Premier League this year, four fewer than Manchester City.
Likewise, the Gunners’ central and defensive midfield options are incredible, with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi arguably being world-class.
Rice
However, an area of the team that has left a lot to be desired is the attack, but the good news is that Arsenal are being linked with someone who’d be their best striker since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal target world-class striker
As things stand, Arsenal still have a four-point lead atop the Premier League, yet fans are starting to get a bit restless.
One of the main reasons for this is their lack of threat up top, as borne out by the numbers.
For example, despite being top, the Gunners have scored just 42 goals, five fewer than City and one more than Manchester United.
So, with this in mind, it’s not a surprise to see the club going after a top-quality striker who could end up being their best since Aubameyang.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Arsenal are very interested in Julian Alvarez.
Julian-Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid
In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are currently the main favourite to land the Argentine international.
However, Barcelona are also incredibly interested in the former Manchester City star, and if he is to leave Atlético Madrid, it would be in the summer, not this month.
It could prove to be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, with reports suggesting it may take an £80m bid, but given Alvarez’s incredible ability, one Arsenal should be fighting for him, especially as he’d be their best striker since Aubameyang.
Why Alvarez would be Arsenal's best centre-forward since Aubameyang
Now, Arsenal have had some good strikers play for them since Aubameyang.
For example, Gabriel Jesus has been a useful player and looked incredible in his first four months at the club, and whatever people may think of Kai Havertz, there was a period in the 23/24 season when he led the line brilliantly.
Aubameyang goals per season (timeless)
However, what is also true is that the Brazilian is too injury-prone to be relied upon, the German can be undeniably wasteful, and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has massively underwhelmed.
In other words, Alvarez would have a great chance of becoming the best striker the club have had since the Gabonese international.
With that said, it’s not just the failings of others that give him this chance, but the fact that he is a simply sensational player.
For example, in his first campaign with Atlético last season, he racked up an unbelievable tally of 29 goals and eight assists in just 57 appearances, totalling 3967 minutes.
That came out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.54 games, or more impressively, every 107.21 minutes, which makes it hard to disagree with journalist Roy Neymer's claim that he's one of "the best forward in the world."
Alvarez's recent form
Season
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
This season has been a little tougher for the Argentine, but even so, he has still managed to score 11 goals and provide five assists in 29 appearances, totalling 2207 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.81 games, or every 137.93 minutes.
As if that wasn’t enough, the “astonishing” centre-forward, as dubbed by Sergio Agüero, is also Premier League proven.
Julian Alvarez Man City stats (timeless)
For example, in two seasons for Manchester City, he scored 36 goals and provided 19 assists in 103 appearances, totalling 6007 minutes.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.87 games, or every 109.21 minutes, which would be outstanding for a starting striker, let alone someone who had to play back-up.
Ultimately, from his recent output in Spain to the fact that he’s already shown he can do it in England, it’s clear that Alvarez would be an excellent signing for Arsenal and their best striker since Aubameyang.
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