5 Strikers Who Could Help Solve Arsenal's Goal-Scoring Crisis

Arsenal fans need a hero.

Since losing Robin van Persie to Manchester United, the Gunners have lacked a prolific hit-man. If Arsenal are to stand any chance of challenging for major honours in 2013/14, they need to add some firepower to their ranks.

This summer, Arsene Wenger's priority must be to add an established goalscorer to his squad.

Over the next five slides, we look at five candidates to fill Arsenal's central striking berth. 

Gonzalo Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain seems destined to be Arsenal's next centre-forward.

The Guardian report that personal terms with the player have been agreed and the club are hopeful of unveiling the Argentine striker soon:

"There is a confidence at the club that Higuaín is poised to join, ideally before Arsenal depart on 11 July for their commercial tour of Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan."

If Higuain does complete his move from the Bernabeu to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal will acquire a two-footed poacher of the highest calibre.

Although Higuain has often played second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in Madrid, his outstanding international record demonstrates his phenomenal talent.

Higuain would be welcomed by the Arsenal fans with open arms.

Wayne Rooney

The Daily Mail claims that Arsenal's attacking reinforcements will not end with the acquisition of Gonzalo Higuain.

Remarkably, they suggest that Arsenal are preparing to follow up a potential deal for Higuain by pursuing Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

Signing Rooney would doubtless be controversial. He has been the bane of Arsenal for a decade. His record against the Gunners is second to none, and that habit of scoring against Arsene Wenger's team has done little to endear him to the Arsenal faithful.

However, if Wenger could find a way to motivate Rooney, he would certainly increase Arsenal's attacking potential. He would also make an ideal partner for penalty-box predator Higuain.

Arsenal fans would soon forgive Rooney if he fired them back into contention for trophies.

Stevan Jovetic

Arsenal have been linked with Stevan Jovetic by The Mirror for much of the summer.

Speaking to ESPN, the Montenegro striker seemed open to a switch to England:

"

With (Juventus manager Antonio) Conte I feel that I could continue to grow. I think the feeling is mutual.

But the Premier League is also fantastic championship, as is La Liga. I have some opportunities so we'll see.

"

If Jovetic does resist the advances of Juventus and come to the Premier League, he is likely to make a big impact.

Like Luis Suarez, he has a stocky frame which enables him to retain possession in tight spaces. This allows him to wriggle away from his marker and create space to demonstrate his powerful finishing. 

David Villa

Arsenal scouts will have been struck by the ruthless finishing David Villa showed in hammering a hat-trick past a bewildered Tahiti.

The Gunners were first linked with a move for Villa by The Daily Mail back in January. Although Barcelona put the kibosh on any deal then, The Independent has suggested Arsenal might return with another bid this summer.

Villa has more experience than any of the alternatives in this list, and thus could instantly improve Arsenal's attack without threatening the long-term development of Olivier Giroud. 

Michu

The Daily Mail have suggested that Arsenal may look closer to home in their search for a new attacking spearhead.

Swansea City's Michu had a fantastic debut season in the Premier League, grabbing 22 goals after a £2 million move from Rayo Vallecano.

Bringing Michu to a club with title aspirations would be something of a gamble. However, if he can recreate his stunning form of 2012/13, it's a gamble worth taking.

Who should Arsenal sign to bring them the goals they badly need? Let us know below.