It's no secret that Arsenal will be adjusting their striker line this summer. With Aubameyang's departure and Lacazette entering the final six months of his contract, the center-forward change will take place at the end of the season. Arteta will turn to new players and at least two attackers will arrive at the Emirates Stadium to improve Arsenal's face. This is the next step in the rebuilding of Arsenal under the Spaniards and is arguably the most important part of the reform. Arteta and technical director Edu proved through last summer's signing that they can do a good job of identifying and securing talent. Six new arrivals have all played a role this season, improving the team, but Arteta knows the upcoming transfer window is important. "Now is the time for us to move up to another level," he said before the win over Watford, "we have been able to keep the team in a better balance and now it's time to improve quality".
Arsenal's shortcomings in several areas have been addressed over the past two years. However, there is one area that has not yet been touched. In fact, Arteta has not signed a striker since replacing Emery as head coach in December 2019. That will change this summer, with a focus on finding replacements for Lacazette and the recently departed Aubameyang. Although Arteta insists the Frenchman still has a chance to stay at the Emirates Stadium, he is expected to leave after his current contract expires. Even with a contract extension, the 30-year-old will find that the appearance pick will be behind any striker that Arsenal brought in during the summer transfer window. But how do you replace a selfless striker like Lacazette?
Critics will point out that he has only scored four Premier League goals this season, but that doesn't say anything about the importance he's to Arteta's dynamic young squad. While Saka, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli and Erdegaard continue to dominate the headlines with their performances, Lacazette is proving to be the glue that brings Arsenal's new "Big Four" together. Since Aubameyang was banished after his match against Everton on 7 December, he has taken on extra responsibilities and his selflessness and efficiency have allowed Arsenal's young attacking players to thrive around him. Since Aubameyang led the team to a game-losing match at Goodison Park, Arsenal have scored 28 points out of 33 points – no other team has scored more points in the same period.
While Lacazette has scored just two goals in this period – penalties against Norwich and Leicester City – he has scored more goals (eight) in his last 11 games than any other player, with the last two assists coming in the previous 3-2 win over Watford, apart from goals against Fox City. "Raqqa knows where I'm acting and where I am," Saka said after the match with Watford. "It's so much fun to play with him." Since Arteta decided to use Lacazette as the fulcrum of the forward line, Arsenal have undoubtedly greatly improved their attacking ability. Before Aubameyang made his last appearance for Arsenal at Everton, the Gunners averaged just 1.2 goals per game. Since then, Lacazette has played as a centre-forward, averaging 2.3 goals per game. They also averaged more shots per game (17.8 vs. 14.0), hit more targets (5.7 vs. 4.8) and touched the ball in the opposing penalty area (34.4 vs. 23.1). Possession has risen from 49.1 per cent to 55.6 per cent and, on top of that, they now average 2.5 points per game, compared to just 1.5 points before.
Obviously, there are other factors associated with this progress, but Lacazette's ability to control the ball and creating opportunities for Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe and Ode's senior players are a major factor. "Raqqa makes the people around him better," Arteta said of his captain. 'He knows the game very well, he's a very smart player and he's very efficient. Whoever comes to the Emirates stadium during the summer transfer period must have similar skills so arsenal can continue to get their best performance from their exciting attacking midfield.
Real Sociedad striker Isaac and Everton's Calvert Lewin are both arsenal players. They also have a long-standing interest in Jonathan-David, who looks set to leave Lille in the summer. All three fit the image Arteta seeks: they are all young, impactful strikers who can connect with others. It's clear that the next No. 9 player at Arsenal will be more than just scoring goals. Arteta now has one of the smartest young offensive geniuses in Europe. Finding the right people to connect them is crucial to ensuring Arsenal continue to progress.