11 best European strikers – many of whom could’ve been realistic Arsenal targets!
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made the strange claim that European football isn’t producing any top class strikers anymore, with countries like Germany and Spain instead fielding creative ‘false 9’-style players up front.
Still, there are world class out-and-out centre-forwards out there, with these eleven proving Arsenal had plenty of European strikers to choose from in recent years:
1) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
A world class performer for Real Madrid and France, Karim Benzema is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world and was strongly linked with Arsenal this summer.
2) Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
Another rumoured Gunners target, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette is a superb young talent who scored 31 goals in all competitions last season.
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3) Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Not a player Arsenal could realistically sign due to their rivalry with Tottenham, Harry Kane is another potentially world class centre-forward emerging in the European game.
4) Memphis Depay (Manchester United)
Capable of playing out wide and up front, Dutch starlet Memphis Depay only cost Manchester United £30m and looks a real talent – why weren’t Arsenal in for him?
5) Mario Mandzukic (Juventus)
Perhaps not a world class player, but Mario Mandzukic has played for a host of top clubs and has a proven scoring record in the big games, moving to Juventus for only £13m this summer.
6) Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Another superb European star, Polish front-man Robert Lewandowski was linked with Arsenal this summer and would have been an ideal buy up front.
7) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Not a player Arsenal could have signed this summer, but the Gunners reportedly looked at Spanish star Diego Costa when he was at Atletico Madrid, and they were fools not to go for him.
8) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
One of the best prospects in the European game, Belgian starlet Romelu Lukaku has continued to develop at Everton and would be better than Arsenal’s current options up top.
9) Alvaro Morata (Juventus)
Another outstanding young player, Spaniard Alvaro Morata can be a great of the European game after catching the eye in his first season at Juventus.
10) Christian Benteke (Liverpool)
Another player Arsenal could surely have tried to sign, Christian Benteke was immense at Aston Villa before completing a £32.5m move to Liverpool.
11) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG)
A modern great of the European game, Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic was linked with Arsenal this summer and is another who could’ve done a job for them, even if he is slightly past his peak.
