The sight of Newcastle predator Alexander Isak driving off in celebration at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening is said to have focused attention on Arsenal. If not, the penny may never drop.
Mikel Arteta has built a great team, a team that can easily hold its own against the best in Europe, but that is missing something: a certain magic.
To complete what he started, Arteta needs a productive striker. It's more than just the icing on the cake: such talents are fundamental to successful teams.
Arsenal have had their fair share in recent years: Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Ian Wright for example. Blackburn and Newcastle had Alan Shearer. Manchester City has had Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland. Manchester United have had too many to mention.
So it begs the question: can Arteta really unlock his team's full potential without a recognized all-time goalscorer? The consensus at this point suggests that the answer to that question is no. The groans at the whistle after Tuesday's loss to Eddie Howe indicate those frustrations.
It is important to make it clear that Arsenal were looking for a new striker last summer. They have extensively investigated all feasible options.
For example, recruitment staff had identified Red Bull Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian international certainly fit the profile. At 21, his ceiling is high. The recruitment staff felt that his fluid movements and physical attributes would fit well with Arteta's dynamic and interchangeable forward line.
Talks followed and Arsenal were ready to act. But during those conversations, it became clear to Sesko that he wouldn't necessarily join as a guaranteed starter. Kai Havertz's excellent end to the season meant he was in possession of the shirt after scoring nine times in the last eighteen games and finishing with fourteen goals in his debut season in North London.
Reasonable numbers, but not mind-boggling. Nevertheless, the Germany international's transition to a striker was deemed successful enough by Arteta for Havertz to start this campaign as the team's first choice.
At first glance, it is difficult to argue against this decision. It's easy to forget that Havertz has already scored 12 goals this season, just two fewer than last season, with half of the season still to play.
For his part, Sesko prioritized his development and informed Arsenal of his intention to sign a new contract with Leipzig rather than risk a small role at the Emirates. Intriguingly, he remains on the Gunners' radar heading into the summer window.
There was interest in Ivan Toney, but it was ultimately decided that they would not pursue the England international for various reasons, before he joined Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli for £40 million.
Then there was Isak, who tormented Arsenal in the 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this week, two months after scoring the winner against them in the league match at St James' Park. The Sweden international, who has scored 15 goals this season, including 10 in his last nine games, appears to be Arsenal's dream ticket.
There was interest in Isak last summer, but it quickly became apparent that convincing Newcastle to part ways with their striker would cost more than £100 million.
After spending almost £200 million on Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber in the summer of 2023, Arsenal, without ever being in any real danger of falling foul of profit and sustainability rules, had to pay more attention to their spending last summer .
The Gunners still spent over £100m on Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and converting David Raya's loan from Brentford into a permanent deal, but that outlay was offset by the sales of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Aaron Ramsdale, which totaled around £70 million.
With that in mind, you can perhaps forgive Arteta and Arsenal for deciding not to spend their entire summer budget on a new striker, with other areas of the pitch also needing reinforcement.
The defensive injuries they have suffered this season provide some justification that they were right to take this approach.
Perhaps they could have scoured the market for more economic opportunities. But deviating from the club's preferred objectives makes little sense for a team like Arsenal, which can only settle for the best players available.
The fact that Arsenal scored 91 Premier League goals last season was a crucial factor in the club's decision not to accelerate their initial interest in adding a goalscorer ahead of the current season. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Havertz all scored in double figures last season, although only Havertz, on seven, seems close to that target this season.
But even this season, Arsenal is the second-highest scorer in the top flight with 39 goals, second only to league leaders Liverpool, who have scored 47 times so far.
So with that in mind, Arsenal can continue to feel justified in their decision to keep their powder dry last summer – at least in terms of a striker. There is clear logic in that decision. But sometimes football defies logic. Watching Isak hypnotize in such a devastating way on Tuesday night reinforces that point.
As things stand, Arsenal are likely to revive interest in Isak at the end of the season. His contract at Newcastle doesn't expire until 2028, so the Magpies will be in a strong position if they want to consider offers in the summer, especially if they want to qualify for the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup. Think of a nine-digit amount and start adding.
Of course, Arsenal are already members of the Premier League's exclusive £100m club, having signed Rice from West Ham 18 months ago. Sources insist that Arsenal are not opposed to reaching this financial level again after a relatively economic summer period, although it is likely they will have to be creative in the market to land their second £100m player.
But every week it becomes clear that a player like Isak would transform Arsenal, although the expected cost of bringing in the striker may be a step too far for the Gunners, and it is highly likely they will wait until the summer to do so approach. situation where trading players becomes much easier.
If they want to enter the market this month, and there are no guarantees they will, it would likely be a stopgap for the injured Saka.
Indeed, it would be remiss not to address the difficulties Arsenal have faced due to the unavailability of key attacking players.
In addition to Saka's current lengthy absence, Odegaard, Arsenal's attacking chief orchestrator, missed more than two months of the season due to injury.
But injuries are not exclusive to Arsenal. And – to some extent – injuries are beyond their control. What is controllable, however, is recruitment. For various reasons, the club chose not to attract a new striker in time for this season.
And until the summer transfer carousel turns around again, they will have to deal with the consequences of that decision.
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