Five strikers that Arsenal could sign to replace Olivier Giroud.
After news broke of Giroud’s recent ‘extra-curricular’ activities, the man’s wife has ordered him back to their native France to ensure that he doesn’t stray again.
With that in mind the club will need to step up a search for a replacement during the off-season, and the names below are five of the best that they could bring on board.
Michy Batshuayi – Standard Liege
The 20-year-old is just one of the latest hot shot talents to come out of the lowlands country, and his electric form this season have seen a number of top clubs from across Europe linked with his signature this summer.
With 19 goals in 34 games this term he is prolific enough, as well as being young enough to grow into the player Wenger will want him to be, and furthermore, he has already been talking up the possibility of heading to north London as he is a fan of their philosophy.
He claims that he won’t be with Liege beyond the end of the season, and Arsenal will be in pole position to sign him should they publicly declare their interest.
Jay Rodriguez – Southampton
A hugely talented player during his time with Burnley has no turned into one of the most technically gifted forwards that the English game has produced in recent years.
Able to slot into a number of positions in the Arsenal attack and his style of play will suit Wenger’s plans down to the ground.
With 12 goals in 30 appearances already this season, he has utilised Southampton’s creative talents to the full, and with no disrespect two the south coast club, he would be able to do so much more with the players that the Gunners have at their disposal.
Michu – Swansea City
Injury has robbed the Spaniard of the best part of his season this year, and thanks to Swansea’s precarious league position there is a good chance that he may not be at the club beyond the summer.
The Swans will likely have to drop a considerable chunk of the £30m fee that they had been looking for at the end of the previous campaign, and the cut priced fee may appeal to Wenger to spring for the Spanish international.
Like Rodriguez, he would offer the club a sight more versatility than Giroud is capable of.
Jackson Martinez – FC Porto
The Colombian hit man is surprisingly still plying his trade in Portugal after becoming one of the hottest properties in Europe last summer, but there is a sense that this will be his last year in the Port city before moving on.
Martinez is one of the best goal scorers around right now and there is no doubt that he would be able to slot into Arsenal’s attack and provide the most viable goal threat they have had since Thierry Henry.
At 27 he is now entering his prime, and a chance to prove himself in the Premier League (and the Champions League) could appeal to him. However, they may have to wait until after the World Cup before they can make their move.
Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid
The Brazilian-turned-Spaniard was all set to leave last summer, but ended up staying put for another year where he has continued to light La Liga up with his continued haul of goals.
He has been a key figure in keeping the club at the top of the league alongside Barcelona and cross-city rivals Real, but chances of him moving on this time around are much higher.
It may take a considerable fee to prize him away from Atletico’s grasp, but he would undoubtedly be worth every penny should Wenger decide to stump up the cost.