The Arsenal team today is undoubtedly better than the one from a few years ago.
Bukayo Saka has reached another level entirely, Declan Rice is a monster in midfield, David Raya is a reliable presence between the sticks and the defence looks set to be the best in the Premier League for the second year running.
However, one area that is probably weaker than it was at the start of the decade is striker; as for all their hard work, neither Kai Havertz nor Gabriel Jesus are prolific, at least not compared to former goalscorer extraordinaire Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
Aubameyang-Lautaro-Premier-League-transfer
The Gabon international was a force of nature for most of his time at the Emirates - he was the fastest Arsenal player to hit 50 Premier League goals and left with a tally of 112 goal involvements - but now it looks as if Andrea Berta and Co could be about to sign someone who'd be the club's best striker since the former captain.
Arsenal's striker search
With Arsenal's most acute area of need heading into the summer window being the striker positions, it's not a shock that they've been linked with a mountain of potential signings over the last month or so.
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One of the most talked-about links has undoubtedly been to Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, who has already racked up a sensational haul of 24 goals and five assists in 34 appearances this term - an average of a goal involvement every 1.17 games.
However, with the Toon reportedly after £150m for their star man, a move this summer feels increasingly unlikely, so reports have also touted the more affordable Benjamin Sesko for a transfer to the Emirates.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko shoots at goal
The Slovenian international could be available for around £67m, although at just 21 years old, there is a risk that Arteta and Co would be signing another project player when what they really need at this point is the finished article, someone like Viktor Gyokeres.
Fortunately, according to a recent report from Italy, the Sporting CP phenomenon is not only a target for the Gunners but also their primary striker target.
Arsenal-Viktor-Gyokeres
Moreover, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have now opened talks to try and sign the Swede and that the talks have been "positive" thus far.
A potential price for the marksman is not mentioned in the report, but stories from late last month claimed that he could be available for as little as £58m.
Arsenal striker targets goal record (Isak, Sesko, Cunha, Osimhen, Ekitike, Gyokeres)
While that is still a sizable sum of money, it could prove to be incredible value for money in this case, and as Gyokeres could be the club's best striker since Aubameyang, Arsenal should do all they can to get this deal over the line as soon as possible.
Why Gyokeres would be Arsenal's best striker since Aubameyang
Unsurprisingly, when it comes down to it, the reason Gyokeres would be Arsenal's best centre-forward since Aubameyang was in his pomp is the simple fact that he is a lean, mean, goalscoring machine.
For example, in just 50 appearances last season, the Stockholm-born "powerhouse," as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists, which comes out to an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game.
This year, the Swedish monster has done even better, racking up a sensational tally of 42 goals and 11 assists in 42 appearances, which comes out to an average of 1.26 goal involvements every game.
Gyokeres vs Havertz vs Jesus 24/25
Player
Appearances
MIinutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In contrast, Havertz produced 20 goal involvements in 34 appearances prior to his injury this term and Jesus nine in 27 appearances, meaning the German was averaging a goal involvement every 1.7 games and the Brazilian every three games.
Finally, on top of maintaining a level of output that is simply out of this world at the club level, the 26-year-old Sporting star is also incredibly effective at the international level.
isak gyokeres
For example, in 26 senior caps for Sweden, totalling 1568 minutes, he has scored 15 goals and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.23 games, or every 74.66 minutes.
Ultimately, Arsenal are already an incredible team, but they lack a genuinely prolific number nine; if they sign Gyokeres, that won't be a problem anymore.
Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams celebrates scoring their third goal Related
[Better than Nico Williams: Arsenal lead race to sign "Bergkamp-esque" star](https://www.footballfancast.com/better-than-williams-arsenal-lead-race-to-sign-bergkamp-esque-cunha/ "Better than Nico Williams: Arsenal lead race to sign "Bergkamp-esque" star")
The incredible international would make Arsenal a far scarier proposition.