Arteta makes winter demand but huge obstacle remains for Arsenal target

Youssef En-Nesyri Erling Haaland TEAMtalk

Mikel Arteta has reportedly spoken to the Arsenal board about signing Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri in January as the manager seeks further improvement to his side.

The Gunners spent big in the summer transfer window, bringing in six new players. Defender Ben White was their most expensive acquisition, with the north Londoners paying Brighton £52.65m. Midfielder Martin Odegaard and Albert Sambi Lokonga arrived but the Spaniard did not purchase an out-and-out striker.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently leads the line and has scored five goals to date in 2021-2022. However, only two of those have come in the Premier League.

And that has been Arsenal’s main problem. The Emirates outfit have notched only five in seven top-flight outings this term.


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Those goals have come from three games, with Arteta’s charges drawing a blank on four occasions. It seems as though he is keen to so something about it and wants a new striker in the winter window.

Arsenal have been linked with the Morocco international for some time. But they are not the only English club with their eyes on the former Leganes hitman.

West Ham were mentioned in connection with the 24-year-old last summer as David Moyes searched for a new striker. Sevilla have slapped a hefty £38.5m price tag on the African and it is unclear whether he will be allowed to leave mid season.

En-Nesyri in demand

Arsenal have doubts over the future of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah. Aubameyang still has an eye for goal but cannot go on for ever.

Arsenal want Torino and Italy forward Andrea Belotti

Arsenal want Torino and Italy forward Andrea Belotti

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Torino and Italy forward Andrea Belotti, with more updates on Denis Zakaria and Tammy Abraham.

Therefore a move for En-Nesyri makes sense. He scored 18 LaLiga goals last season and 24 in all competitions for Los Nervionenses.

And the man from Fez has already struck three times in the Spanish top flight this season. Unsurprisingly, other clubs are also watching the marksman.

ABC Sevilla (via Sport Witness), are suggesting that the Gunners are among six clubs who are monitoring his progress. The one drawback for any interested party is the fact that En-Nesyri appears happy in his present surroundings.

He still has four years of his current deal to run and is said to be looking forward to an ‘exciting and ideal season’.

The report adds that Arteta has told chief executive Vinai Venkatesham that the ex-Malaga ace could be the ‘benchmark of the Gunners attack’. And it seems as though he is happy to release the funds to do a deal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arsenal v Liverpool April 2021

The biggest obstacle appears to be convincing the player to commit to a career in England.

READ MORE: Liverpool and Arsenal named as suitors for frozen-out Premier League star