Mikel Arteta only has Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling as senior attacking options right now – along with teenage superstar Ethan Nwaneri – following injuries to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.
Arsenal have only signed six forwards since the Spaniard replaced Unai Emery in December 2019 – and are now being made to pay for a lack of attacking depth.
However, there is a player reportedly keen on joining Arsenal this summer in Ademola Lookman – who has now gone public to reveal he feels “deeply” disrespected at his current club, Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman unhappy at Atalanta amid Arsenal links
A story from Give Me Sport claimed in December that Arsenal are keen to sign Lookman – and the Nigeria international is open to leaving Bergamo for N5.
Now, after missing a crucial penalty as Atalanta were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Club Brugge on Tuesday – the man from Wandsworth has revealed his unhappiness with comments made by his boss, Gian Piero Gasperini, who called him “one of the worst penalty takers” he has ever seen in the aftermath of the game.
Lookman wrote on X (previously known as Twitter): “It saddens me on a day like this to have to write this statement – most of all because of what we have achieved together as a team and as a city.
“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo.
“In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. This makes what happened last night even more hurtful.”
“Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result. During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so. Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”
Lookman is believed to have a £50m price tag – after developing into one of Europe’s best forwards under Gasperini at Atalanta.
The 27-year-old even netted a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final win over Bayer Leverkusen last season, and has 15 goals in all competitions so far this season.
Arsenal target Ademola Lookman has been criticised for penalties before
The Wandsworth-born forward is an elite talent in open play, but if a move to Arsenal does materialise, perhaps Arteta should keep him away from penalties.
During a loan spell at Fulham back in 2020, Lookman had the chance to equalise away at West Ham with a penalty in the 98th minute, which he inexplicably decided to chip.
Lukasz Fabianski easily caught the attempt, leaving Scott Parker furious, saying: “I’m disappointed and angry. You can’t take penalties like that and he knows that.”
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