Reasons why Arsenal should forget Osimhein, Isak, and others and focus on this phenomenal wonderkid

After being roundly mocked for signing Havertz for £60m (Tsamina mina, eh, eh waka waka, eh, eh 60 million down the drain), Arteta and Edu may have pulled off a master-class in the transfer-market. Signing a prolific striker should cost something like twice that. Maybe thrice. Havertz’s original allure was in his versatility, in his ability to play almost any attacking position. Having apparently settled into a false-nine role, he’s flourishing, and the confidence borne of that will almost surely inspire him going forward.

To pass on the likes of Isak and Osimhein, high-profile but also high-fee strikers, would free us up to address two other, more-urgent areas of need. Simply put, we need someone who can give Saka a rest. I’m a big fan of Wolves’ Pedro Neto, whose injury-record would be less-worrisome if he weren’t putting in full 90s when fit. More centrally, we really do have to size up a replacement for Thomas Partey. He’ll turn 31 soon, his injury-record is approaching Diaby-esque (Diabian?) levels, his efforts when fit haven’t been all that dynamic, and there’s the unsavoury off-pitch issues to ponder. I’m on record as opposing a move for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, but we should be able to find another DM.

By keeping the powder dry regarding a striker, we should then have enough powder to light for a winger and a DM. Between those additions and Havertz’s ascendancy, it does start to feel like the sky might very well be the limit.

Why Arsenal should forget Osimhein, Isak, and others and focus on this wunderkid…After being roundly mocked for signing Havertz for £60m (Tsamina mina, eh, eh waka waka, eh, eh 60 million down the drain), Arteta and Edu may have pulled off a master-class in the transfer-market. Signing a prolific striker should cost something like twice that. Maybe thrice. Havertz’s original allure was in his versatility, in his ability to play almost any attacking position. Having apparently settled into a false-nine role, he’s flourishing, and the confidence borne of that will almost surely inspire him going forward.

To pass on the likes of Isak and Osimhein, high-profile but also high-fee strikers, would free us up to address two other, more-urgent areas of need. Simply put, we need someone who can give Saka a rest. I’m a big fan of Wolves’ Pedro Neto, whose injury-record would be less-worrisome if he weren’t putting in full 90s when fit. More centrally, we really do have to size up a replacement for Thomas Partey. 

He’ll turn 31 soon, his injury-record is approaching Diaby-esque (Diabian?) levels, his efforts when fit haven’t been all that dynamic, and there’s the unsavoury off-pitch issues to ponder. I’m on record as opposing a move for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, but we should be able to find another DM.

By keeping the powder dry regarding a striker, we should then have enough powder to light for a winger and a DM. Between those additions and Havertz’s ascendancy, it does start to feel like the sky might very well be the limit.