Arsenal is likely to pursue a new striker this summer following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the side has been instructed to go all out and recruit either Robert Lewandowski or Erling Haaland to lead the line next season.
Mikel Arteta will be on the lookout for a replacement focal point for his Arsenal assault. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract was terminated in January to allow him to join Barcelona on a free transfer, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both appear likely to depart the Emirates this summer.
Since last summer, Arsenal have been connected with a number of eye-catching targets. Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates before preferring to join Juventus in January.
Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad has also been repeatedly connected with the Emirates, as have Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, former Arsenal midfielder Kevin Campbell and ex-Aston Villa manager and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Paul Lambert believe Arteta and Edu should aspire higher.
Haaland appears certain to leave Signal Iduna Park at the conclusion of the season when his £62 million release clause becomes live, while Lewandowski has been linked with a move away from Bayern Munich.
While Lambert acknowledged that a bid for Haaland may be a long shot, he maintained that a short-term agreement to bring Lewandowski to the Emirates may be just as successful.
“If I were Arsenal, and I would take a wild guess on this one, I would go to Bayern Munich and try to sign Lewandowski,” Lambert stated. “If he makes noises in an attempt to escape, I’d respond, ‘you know what, I’m going to try this one.’
“Then I’d bring in a younger one capable of serving as a number nine. Martinelli, as Kevin has stated. However, I would go for it because Arsenal is a great club with a massive support and a rich history.”
“They have everything. Without purchasing a raffle ticket, there is no way to know if you will win. Why not give it a try, Lewandowski and Haaland? With regards to Haaland, I concur with Kevin; I’m rather certain he’ll join Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Barcelona. That, I believe, is completely outside their market, but Lewandowski is a different story.”