Arsenal are eyeing a transfer move for Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri as they plan for life after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
What’s the story?
The Gabon international has endured a difficult 12 months or so after lifting the FA Cup with the Gunners back in the summer of 2020, scoring just ten goals in the Premier League last season.
Now, according to La Colina de Nervion, Mikel Arteta’s side have identified En-Nesyri as a player who could come into replace Aubameyang once the current club captain leaves the Emirates.
The report adds that the Gunners could face competition from fellow Premier League side West Ham however.
Edu must sign him
While Arsenal themselves may see En-Nesyri as someone to replace Aubameyang, when you look at the stats, he’s arguably been better than another one of the Gunners’ star-studded strikers: Alexandre Lacazette.
The 24-year-old En-Nesyri bagged 24 goals in all competitions for Sevilla last season, including scoring a whopping six times in just eight games in the Champions League – a sure sign of how he rises to the big occasion.
In comparison, Lacazette managed just 16, and only netted three times in eight Europa League games.
Speaking about his qualities to This is Futbol, La Liga expert Euan McTear raved about the penalty-box instincts the striker has.
“He’s not someone that will move out wide and create a chance, he’s very much a centre-forward, if he’s moving out of the box to create something, it’s usually for his own good – a bit like Benzema, but he does that well and scores a lot of goals.”
Dubbed a “world-beater” at times by Sky Sports’ Spanish football commentator, Terry Gibson, he added: “When you look at his attributes, he’s as good in the air as anyone now. Not only is he tall, (but) he’s got that athletic ability to leap as well. He seems to really enjoy aerial challenges.
“He’s quick, he’s strong, great attitude, his finishing has improved, his first touch has improved, his movement has improved – all those things you expect players to improve on, he is doing.”
The £60m-rated star could be exactly the kind of striker Arteta needs at Arsenal, and Edu simply has to sign him.
Meanwhile, some Arsenal early team news has emerged before Norwich…
