Arsenal Transfers: 5 Strikers Linked to the Gunners

Arsenal need a new striker next season, and the London club has been linked to quite a few.

The Gunners' primary goalscorers have been productive in fits and starts throughout the season.

Olivier Giroud is the primary forward in the squad, but he lacks good cover and competition.

The likes of Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski have voiced their preference to play centrally, but Arsene Wenger prefers to use the duo as wingers.

Here are five strikers linked to the Gunners.

*Unless otherwise stated, all statistics courtesy of ESPN FC and WhoScored.

Edin Dzeko

The Daily Mail reported in November that Arsenal are interested in Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko.

Arsenal have gotten used to seeing some of their top players head to the Etihad Stadium, and if this deal were to occur, it would would certainly be a reversal of roles.

Dzeko isn't the top forward at City, but he would challenge for that role at Arsenal.

Despite having to share a good amount of playing time with three other top strikers, Dzeko has managed to be productive during his time at City.

He currently has 13 goals in 38 games this season. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal is one of a few clubs linked (via Talksport) with Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Saint-Etienne striker is putting together a second consecutive solid season in Ligue 1.

He currently has 17 goals and eight assists in 31 games for the French side.

Aubameyang would bring a mixture of pace and trickery to the Arsenal forward line, and would present quite the alternative to Olivier Giroud.

Adrian Lopez

Arsenal may reignite their interest in long-term target Adrian Lopez (via the Express). 

The Atletico Madrid forward is certainly the least appealing choice on this list, considering his lack of productivity in front of goal. He only has four goals in 39 appearances this season.

The Spanish forward can be given some slack for those numbers, as he spends the majority of his playing time on the wing.

Lopez has shown potential during his short career so far, but Arsenal are in need of a proven goalscorer.

Burak Yilmaz

Arsenal are one of the clubs said to be interested in Turkish forward Burak Yilmaz should he leave Galatasaray this summer (via Daily Mail).

Yilmaz has scored 26 goals in 34 games so far this season and has hit double-digit totals in goals consistently for the last few seasons.

Last season, Yilmaz claimed he would be interested in a move to Arsenal if the London club decided to sign him (via Goal.com). 

The Galatasaray forward would be a similar type of player to Olivier Giroud, and that may mean a move is unlikely.

Stevan Jovetic

Both ESPN.co.uk and Sky Sports have reported on Stevan Jovetic's interest in a move to Arsenal.

According to Talksport, the London club would have to spend £30 million to sign the Fiorentina star.

Jovetic's attacking skills would make him a good fit at the London club, and he would improve the club's attacking depth and quality considerably.

The Montenegrin forward has 12 goals and four assists in 28 games this season.