Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy is one of several striker options on Arsenal’s radar ahead of January and if they were to complete a deal for him, he could become their next Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
According to reports, Arsenal have been offered Guirassy as a potential option to fix their problems in front of goal and has a £15 million release clause in his contract.
Several clubs have been linked to the striker and there’s no surprise why. The 27-year-old has risen to prominence as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe this term and only Harry Kane can better his eye-watering total of 16 goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances.
While the Gunners have also been linked to Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Guirassy serves as a much cheaper alternative as someone who could make an immediate impact in the squad.
Mikel Arteta has struggled to get a consistent tune out of his forward trio of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
They’ve only scored nine goals between them in the top flight and Guirassy has almost doubled that total on his own.
It is therefore no surprise to see Arteta shopping for a clinical striker in the transfer market who would make all the difference in the title race.
Indeed, the Gunners haven’t possessed a ruthless finisher in the final third since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed the club at the start of 2022.
Serhou Guirassy could be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 2.0
Similarly to Guirassy, Aubameyang made a name for himself in the Bundesliga by scoring goals for fun.
The Gabon superstar rose to stardom as a clinical striker in Germany, plundering an impressive 141 goals in 213 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, which earned him a club-record move to Arsenal in 2018.
Having showcased his talent as an excellent finisher for the Bundesliga giants, Aubameyang combined his blistering pace, movement and composure in the final third to become a great goalscorer for Arsenal.
Despite leaving the club in acrimonious circumstances, he still netted an obscene 92 goals in 163 appearances for the Gunners and left behind a legacy of being an incredible Premier League striker.
Guirassy, who has been lauded as a “goal machine” by the Bundesliga website, possesses the physical attributes that could see him follow in Aubameyang’s footsteps.
Standing at 6 foot 2, the Guinea marksman is strong in the air and is comfortable with the ball at his feet having ranked in the top 2% of strikers in the Bundesliga for shot-creating actions and top 6% pass completion, as per FBref.
To play in an Arteta system, the Spaniard requires his striker to be excellent at holding up the ball and linking play – like Jesus is – while providing a ruthless edge in front of goal.
Although the Brazilian flatters to deceive with the latter, Guirassy’s presence at the top end of the pitch could see him become the latest Bundesliga export to reach heroic status at the Emirates.
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