Nigel Winterburn has warned Arsenal to handle their striker situation carefully in the next window and not fall short of a goalscorer.
Arsenal spent their summer strengthening their midfield and defence. With Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah in their ranks, the club decided against pursuing a top striker despite links with several high-profile names.
Mikel Arteta seemed open to signing a forward, provided the club could sell one or two existing strikers. Nketiah and Lacazette have entered the last year of their respective contracts, and Arsenal were widely expected to cash in. However, both managed to stay put and might possibly move on in January or next summer.
Late in the window, after Arsenal’s horrendous start to the season, there were mild speculation linking Aubameyang with a move away. Nothing came of those rumours, but these could be signs of what may transpire in the next windows. The Gabonese frontman endured a difficult 2020/21 season, and his form coincided with that of the club.
Arteta reportedly wanted to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea, but a deal never came to fruition due to the club’s inability to move on Lacazette. Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic were other names on the list of potential targets. Arsenal could go back for them in January or next summer, depending on the status of their current strikers.
Speaking to Goal, former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has warned the club to handle the striker situation carefully. He feels the side may fall short of a goalscorer if either Lacazette or Aubameyang are sold, and Arsenal fails to find a suitable replacement.
Winterburn said, “Lacazette is the one into his last year, so that would be the most likely scenario that he could leave if someone came in with an offer. It would depend on where Arsenal are in the table and whether someone can be brought in to fill that role.”
“If they let one of those two go, then we’ll be left so short upfront. We’re already a little short in that area at the minute, but when we get to January, the rumours may surface again with Arsenal potentially looking to bring someone in.”
Winterburn continued to speak and gave his impression of Aubameyang’s future, saying, “Potentially, but it’s very difficult to say because Aubameyang signed that new deal, so I would be surprised if he were pushing to move away.”
The Gabon striker signed a new deal in 2020 and has a few years left on it. While Aubameyang has failed to score in the league so far, there is the belief that the Arsenal captain would find his form again this season. However, if he is to repeat the low scoring form from last season, his future might come under scrutiny next summer.
