The Gunners are 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool but have a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid to look forward to.
This two-week break - or three-week break if you count that Arsenal don’t actually play again until April - could be just what Mikel Arteta and Co need to end the season strongly.
Arsenal players pose for a team group photo before the match
Will it be a long enough break for Bukayo Saka to return fit and firing? Time will tell.
Irrespective of how the north Londoners end the season, however, they will desperately need to add bodies in the final third. A striker is of utmost importance.
The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker
Alexander Isak has and always will be the number one target not only for Arsenal but a lot of clubs.
The trouble is he’s now riding the crest of a wave at Newcastle United having recently won the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak
Reports have also suggested he could cost in the region of £150m to prise away from St James’ Park. His exit, therefore, is now quite unlikely.
So, who are the alternatives? Incoming sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly a fan of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha while Benjamin Sesko is a long-term target.
FFC Header Transfer Focus
Then there’s Jonathan David. That’s according to a report from French outlet Le10Sport in recent days.
The Lille forward is out of contract this summer and set to leave the Ligue 1 club behind when his deal expires. As a result, he’ll be available on a free transfer.
Lille's Jonathan David celebrates scoring their fourth goal
It’s stated that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all hold the strongest interest in the Canadian centre forward. The former are one of the sides said to have held 'concrete talks' over signing David.
How Jonathan David compares to Alexander Isak & Benjamin Sesko
If money was not an object then the Swede would undoubtedly be the number one option.
However, bringing in David on a free would be an incredibly smart deal when you consider that Arsenal could feasibly sign another forward, particularly with Gabriel Jesus set to miss the rest of 2024.
Gabriel-Jesus-Arsenal-Brighton
It’s also important given Arsenal also need to sign a winger to upgrade on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, while midfielder Martin Zubimendi is allegedly set to sign from Real Sociedad.
But, would signing David actually be worthwhile? The answer to that question is, yes.
Notably described as “one of the best strikers in the world" by Canadian football expert Tony Marinaro he’s quietly been going about his business in recent years, scoring consistently for Lille in France.
This season the 25-year-old has bagged 23 goals in 41 outings, backing up a return of 26 in 47 appearances last season. He’s pretty damn prolific.
Lille's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson and Jonathan David after the match
So, how does he stack up compared to Isak? Here’s what the numbers say.
David vs Isak & Sesko in 24/25
Stats (per 90 mins)
David
Isak
Sesko
Goals
0.66
0.83
0.48
Assists
0.14
0.22
0.24
Progressive carries
1.13
2.81
1.68
Progressive passes
2.17
2.68
1.78
Key passes
1.27
1.54
0.72
Pass completion %
81%
74%
67%
Shot-creating actions
2.45
3.29
1.83
Stats via FBref.
Well, Isak is certainly scoring at an increased rate, and on the evidence of the numbers above, he would be a colossal upgrade.
However, it’s important to factor in that one of them would cost you nothing and the other could set you back the best part of £150m.
So, how about comparing him to another of Arsenal’s major targets in Sesko?
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko before taking a penalty
Well, in this instance the Canada international appears to be the more all-round package, supplying more key passes, progressive passes and shot-creating actions. He's also been more prolific in front of goal; obviously the key metric for any striker.
As a result, perhaps this could just be the dream alternative to any possible big-money forwards in the pipeline at the Emirates Stadium.
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