Inside Arsenal's plan to have a new striker for next season - despite reservations over a Euro goal machine... and why Marcus Rashford is no longer on their list: THE SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN
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By the start of next season, the expectancy is for Arsenal to have a shiny new centre forward in situ. Some will say it’s 12 months too late. On reflection there is credibility to those assertions, though full judgement on whether their failure to land a goalscorer in time for this season should be reserved until May.
![[The decision could be seen as 12 months too late, with the club opting to stick with an in-form Kai Havertz at the end of the 2023-24]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/10/93309461-14209575-image-m-19_1734605938455.jpg)
But the fact recruitment staff, in liaison with manager Mikel Arteta, are gearing up towards making a significant outlay on a prolific striker may indicate a sense internally that there is a deficiency in arguably the most important area of the pitch.
![[Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is one of the candidates who ticks myriad boxes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/10/93309571-14209575-image-a-20_1734605981475.jpg)
The identity of who they go for remains an ongoing process and - as ever with transfers - will depend on myriad of factors: age, cost, injuries and experience. But the most pertinent factor of all is simple: goals. Part of the reason Arsenal decided against signing a striker in the summer was due to how Kai Havertz ended the season.
![[RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is another striker enjoying an impressive spell in top flight football]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/11/93309603-14209575-image-a-21_1734606138279.jpg)
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will be gearing up to enter the transfer window ahead of next season. The decision could be seen as 12 months too late, with the club opting to stick with an in-form Kai Havertz at the end of the 2023-24. Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is one of the candidates who ticks myriad boxes.
![[Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres is coveted by a number of top European teams, but his age could be a cause for concern]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/11/93309651-14209575-image-a-22_1734606140601.jpg)
The German scored nine goals in his final 18 games for the club last term. In negotiations with potential centre forward signings ahead of the current campaign, it is understood that Arsenal provided no assurances that they would play ahead of Havertz.
![[Marcus Rashford was tentatively considered this summer but there are no indications the club wishes to turn back the clock]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/11/93309675-14209575-image-m-24_1734606196216.jpg)
