Arsenal are heading into the new Premier League campaign with a slightly weaker attacking roster than they had on the final day of last season.
Emile Smith Rowe has departed the club, and despite his lack of minutes in recent seasons, he was still an option who could play in midfield or on the wings.
Arsenal have been linked with several wingers and strikers this summer, as Mikel Arteta aims to add speed and depth to his options, which will be necessary if Eddie Nketiah leaves as expected.
Moves for big-name striker targets such as Alexander Isak appear impossible this summer, but given that Kai Havertz has performed well as a number nine, a younger option with the potential to improve, whilst also adding a different profile in attack, may be the key to solving Arteta’s problem there.
Across London, Chelsea are going through yet another chaotic transfer window, and there is now an opportunity for Arsenal to pounce on one of the messy deals they tried to complete this summer.
Arsenal should consider move for Samu Omorodion after Chelsea deal fell through
Chelsea were involved in a potential three-way swap transfer with Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, which would see Conor Gallagher and Alvarez move to Spain, with striker Samu Omorodion heading to Stamford Bridge.
However, a £34.5m deal between Chelsea and Omorodion fell through after a breakdown in contract negotiations. Atletico now need to sell their top prospect if they are to complete a move for Gallagher, who remains in limbo, and this could be the chance for Arsenal to secure a bargain.
Omorodion spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alaves in La Liga, scoring nine times in 22 league starts, and the Spain under-21 striker is regarded as one of the best talents in the division. The 20-year-old could now be the perfect surprise market opportunity for Edu Gaspar to secure.
How Samu Omorodion could solve Arsenal’s attacking issues
Arsenal did score a lot of goals last season, but they endured five scoreless games as they faced frustration in attack, with little impact off the bench to change their dynamics.
Omorodion could be the solution to this problem. The Spaniard is physically imposing at 1.93m tall, offering an aerial threat, but also possesses rapid pace, and could be the perfect substitute in scenarios when Arsenal are chasing a goal or need speed in transition.
Should Nketiah, who has been linked with Bournemouth, depart, Omorodion could replace him in the squad as an alternative centre-forward to Havertz. Although he has not played on the wings much before, his speed may also mean that Arteta uses him out wide, like he did with Gabriel Jesus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the past.
Omorodion has the potential to explode in front of goal. He is still raw, after just one season in the top flight, but some outstanding moments, including a first-minute goal against Barcelona, shows that he has the tools in his locker to be moulded into a devastating goalscorer.
In the long run, he could become the killer number nine that Arsenal currently lack, whilst he would add the desired speed Arteta is looking for, and would provide extra depth without breaking the bank, meaning a surprise move for another signing would still be possible.
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