Here’s your challenge. Find me a striker that has scored as many goals as Patrik Schick in Europe’s top five leagues linked to Arsenal.
Are you back? In which case you’ll have likely returned empty-handed. This is not to say Arsenal do not have links to some other top strikers. Gabriel Jesus, Jonathan David and Tammy Abraham are all proving to be stellar forwards for their clubs, and I am not closing the door to any potentially rocking up at the Emirates Stadium.
However, if Mikel Arteta wants a striker who going to grab the number nine shirt and encompass everything that a traditional striker has, Schick is a difficult profile to improve upon. A powerful, aerially dangerous, pacey and clinical finisher is what you get by signing Schick.
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People may turn to his record prior to his time with Bayer Leverkusen as a mark for doubt. Personally, looking at the present, I see a striker who promised much with his performances at the European Championships and has then delivered with his 24 Bundesliga goals this season. Some strikers begin to blossom later in their careers and Schick appears to be another.
His raw goals tally in the Bundesliga are a clear sign of his raw quality, but what also differentiates him from his potential transfer rivals is actually his age profile. Age has become such a crucial factor in transfer decision-making; especially at Arsenal where Mikel Arteta has lowered the overall age of the squad.
However, squad balance should be taken into account and with age comes plenty of other qualities incorporated into the rather broad term of experience. At 26 and having played in two of Europe’s top leagues for four different clubs, Schick has plenty of this.
With such young players surrounding the Arsenal attack, adding another young striker such as Darwin Nunez, 22, into the mix might not be the best idea for building a frontline. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Emile-Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard are all aged 23 or under.
Not to mention players such as Cody Gakpo and Moussa Diaby linked with a potential move in a wide area also fit this young age bracket. Entering the Champions League, hopefully, will call upon big personalities to step up and having that top class, experienced and composed tip of the spear would elevate the Arsenal attack.
There’s no doubt price wise he would be considerably expensive to tear away from Bayer Leverkusen who have already expressed their reluctance to sell. Sport Bild suggest that it could be close to €70m (£58m) However, there is little doubt in my mind that an Arsenal with ambitions to build towards challenging for the biggest honours should consider a striker with the established profile to take them there over that of a prospect with plenty of potential.
We asked all our Arsenal writers to have their say on the striker Mikel Arteta and Edu should bring in this summer. And we want your thoughts.
Find out which striker Kaya Kaynak opted for here. Tashan Deniran-Alleyne made a different choice, you can read what he said here. And Chris Davison went for a former Premier League striker here. Chris Wheatley's suggestion focuses on a rising star of North America here.
Get involved in the comments below, let us know who you agree with.
