Moussa Dembele celebrates after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 game between Lyon and Angers SCO. (Getty Images)
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Arsenal signing this 23-year-old hotshot would settle their long-term attacking future

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Why signing in-form striker Dembele would be a wise move by Arsenal

According to French outlet Le 10 Sport (h/t Metro), Arsenal are preparing a bid for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele in January.

The 23-year-old has turned out to be one of the most potent strikers in the French league after arriving from Scottish side Celtic in the summer of 2018. Dembele has scored a total of 30 goals from 71 appearances for the French side and has made 8 assists in the process.

Despite it being his debut season, the young finisher was on target 15 times from 33 league games and helped Lyon to a third-place finish last season.

Moussa Dembele celebrates after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 game between Lyon and Angers SCO. (Getty Images)
Moussa Dembele celebrates after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 game between Lyon and Angers SCO. (Getty Images)

The Frenchman seems to have continued his rich vein of form from last season, netting 10 goals from 18 games already. He is currently the league’s joint-third top-scorer alongside Lille’s Victor Osimhen and FC Metz’s Habib Diallo.

His prolific goal-scoring exploits have now caught the attention of the Gunners, who are planning to cash in on either Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette, the report claims.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are facing an uncertain future regarding their star strikers Aubameyang and Lacazette, with the former desperately looking for a move away from the Emirates, according to The Independent.

With the report also mentioning Lacazette and Granit Xhaka among many other Gunners who are considering their future with the club, Arsenal have decided to target the in-form Dembele.

Lyon's French forward Moussa Dembele (C) challenges Dijon's French defender Wesley Lautoa (L) and midfielder Bryan Soumare during the French Ligue 1 football match.
Lyon’s French forward Moussa Dembele (C) challenges Dijon’s French defender Wesley Lautoa (L) and midfielder Bryan Soumare during the French Ligue 1 football match. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Le 10 Sport (h/t Metro) suggests that the Gunners are ready to accept Lyon’s asking price for the young forward and will look to land him either in January or wait until next summer.

Aubameyang has a contract that ties him to the club until 2021. Not winning any major silverware since his arrival from German side Borussia Dortmund last season seems to have infuriated the Gabon international.

Still, the lanky striker has been the only silver lining in an otherwise dull and struggling Arsenal side. The Gunners finisher has been their top-scorer this season, scoring 14 goals from all competitions.

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette. (Getty Images)

The Arsenal skipper alone has scored 12 of their 25 league goals this campaign, signifying his important role in the Gunners side amidst all these uncertainties.   

Lacazette, on the other hand, has seen himself not getting enough game time this season, making just 9 starts until now.

With former manager Unai Emery seemingly out of ideas on how to feature both Aubameyang and Lacazette in the first-team, the latter saw himself restricted to the bench.

In this regard, Arsenal’s decision to rope in a striker like Dembele does not come off as a big surprise.

Arsenal skipper and their league's top-scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal skipper and their league’s top-scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Getty Images)

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Verdict

The recent weeks have suggested that there are growing discrepancies in the squad, especially with Aubameyang and the club. Also, Arsenal are going through one of their most torrid spells in recent times.

Hence, their decision to cash in on one of their strikers for the young and clinical Dembele seems to be a wise decision considering the clubs’ long-term future.