Arsenal Transfer News: Should the Gunners Be Chasing Romelu Lukaku?

Arsenal fans are getting restless. After last season's disappointing finish, the club promised changes to the roster that saw the Gunners' hardware-less streak extended to six seasons, and many hoped that the club would chase help on the defensive side of the pitch, their biggest weakness. 

But after nearly two months of transfer news, rumours and speculation, manager Arsene Wenger has a grand total of two players to show for his trouble: defender Carl Jenkinson (a potential long-term answer in the middle, if given a couple of seasons), and striker Gervinho (filling a need alongside Robin van Persie).

The rumoured signings of Gary Cahill and Chris Samba have yet to materialize and the Gunners haven't landed Jose Enrique for their left back position, either.

That doesn't mean the Gunners aren't searching for new talent; the club has been linked to all three players, as well as midfielder Juan Mata in recent weeks. Most recently, a Mirror Football report had Arsenal jumping into the race to land Belgian teen phenom Romelu Lukaku.

The 18-year-old Anderlecht wunderkind has been rated as being worth approximately £15 million, which would make him Wenger's most expensive signing ever if he joined Arsenal. That's a sign the Gunners are working to improve, right?

Perhaps. But there's one problem with Lukaku: He's a striker. You know, the same position currently filled by Gervinho (Wenger's biggest summer signing thus far) and Robin van Persie.

Could he be moved into the midfield? Sure, but that's not the point here.

Should the Gunners even be bothering chasing more high-priced offensive talent? Shouldn't Wenger be more concerned with his team's porous back line, which looked so shaky and undersized on set pieces before grabbing more goals?

I'm not saying that they don't have a chance at signing Lukaku; the Belgian has left all options open, according to the Mirror Football report.

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The 18-year-old, who has also been linked with Spurs, said: "I'm not obliged to sign for the Blues."

The 6ft-plus frontman, whose contract runs out in 2013, scored 16 goals in 37 matches last season.

"There are other big clubs in Europe," he said. "I want to aim as high as possible."

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Clearly, the Gunners have a chance at landing him. But shouldn't their attention be directed to areas of greater need than offense? 

After all, Arsenal already have one of the deepest midfields in the sport, along with Robin van Persie, Gervinho, Nicklas Bendtner and Maraoune Chamakh at striker. They have youngster Jay Emmanuel-Thomas ready to enter full-time duty at striker as well, and he provides the same sorts of skills that Lukaku would give them.

We know that the Gunners are in the lead for their top defensive prospects in Cahill, Samba and Enrique, but they haven't made a bid for any of them. Why not use the money you're looking to use on another striker (albeit a supremely talented one, widely seen as the best prospect in Europe) to fill your major needs at the back? 

If the statements from club chairman Ivan Gazidis are any indication, Arsenal have the funds for both, so why not focus on the areas we know need help? Any one of the troika of Samba, Cahill and Enrique would fill the Gunners' needs, as would Brazilian phenom Bruno Uvini. All they need to do is splash the cash to get them, and odds are good they'll come out on top. 

I realize that the Gunners haven't bid on Lukaku yet, much as they haven't bid on Cahill, Samba, Enrique or Uvini. But the fact that we keep hearing their name associated with offensive players they don't necessarily need is a little troubling to me. 

Arsene Wenger did see his defense flounder last season, correct? He does know that he needs one more piece back there with Tomas Vermaelen in order to truly boost the Gunners' chances of ending their hardware drought, right?

I'm not saying that Arsenal have to stop chasing Lukaku; he's a stellar young player and one sure to benefit the club over the long term. But doing so in lieu of more pressing needs just makes no sense to me. 

As long as Cahill and Samba are still on the table, the Gunners can look at and bid on whoever they like. But if Wenger whiffs on his defensive targets, his dallying on offense is going to get him in some hot water with an antsy fanbase eager to get hardware back at Arsenal.