Arsenal Transfers: Top Alternatives to Olivier Giroud in Attack

Arsenal seem to have been searching for a top-class centre-forward for several seasons now. Olivier Giroud began this campaign as their first-choice striker, but he now appears to have fallen out of favour once again.

Despite 20 goals in all competitions this season, doubts persist over the France international’s ability to lead the line for a club with serious intentions of challenging for the game’s biggest prizes.

When the transfer window reopens this summer, Arsene Wenger will surely be on the lookout for a world-class No. 9.

In this piece, we run through some of the players the Gunners manager should consider.

Romelu Lukaku

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

If Wenger wants a striker with Premier League experience, Romelu Lukaku could well be the man. Although he is still just 22, he has already built a reputation as a reliable goalscorer on these shores.

With Everton languishing in the bottom half of the table, Lukaku will surely be looking for a move this summer. While on international duty with Belgium, the powerful forward admitted to Sky Sports: “I'm 23 next summer and it would be nice to play in the [UEFA] Champions League next season."

Wenger is already a confirmed admirer, having told Arsenal's official website: "He's developing well—year after year he's better. His finishing his better, technical link-up play is better. He is promising a big career, it's always a sign when the numbers are better year after year."

It would delight the Arsenal fans to see that “big career’ unfold at Arsenal—especially since rivals Chelsea were foolish enough to let him go. 

Lukaku’s pace and power would bring a new dimension to the Arsenal attack. It’s been a while since the Gunners had a centre-forward every defender in the Premier League feared. The Belgian could be that man—there isn’t a centre-half around who would relish having to deal with him. 

There may still be an occasional rawness to his game, but it might well be worth gambling on his potential. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s record in the Bundesliga this season is simply outstanding. The fleet-footed forward has scored 22 goals in 25 appearances, meaning only Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is ahead of him in the German goalscoring charts.

Back in January, the Gabon international told ESPN's Colin Udoh (h/t Stephan Uersfeld) he would not be joining the Gunners. However, that doesn’t mean Arsenal won’t test Dortmund’s resolve come the summer.

In recent weeks, Wenger has experimented with playing a more mobile kind of striker in Danny Welbeck. Aubameyang would allow him to continue with that system while adding the cutting edge the England international can occasionally lack. It’s a strategic switch that could render Giroud obsolete, and render him little more than a "Plan B."

One thing that could count against Aubameyang is his age. He turns 27 this summer, and with a game so reliant on blistering pace, Wenger may feel he doesn’t have long left at the top.

However, nor does Wenger. If next season is to be the Frenchman’s last assault on the Premier League title, the addition of Aubameyang would undoubtedly be a helpful one.

Antoine Griezmann

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

Wenger has a history of working with French forwards. Giroud is one in a long line that includes the likes of Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Sylvain Wiltord.

If the Gunners boss wants to recruit another one of his countrymen, he should look no further than Atletico Madrid’s electric striker Antoine Griezmann.

Back in 2014, Griezmann admitted to France Football (h/t Anthony Hay of MailOnline) he had turned down overtures from Arsenal to join Atletico: "Was it weird when [Paris Saint-Germain] and Arsenal were also interested? [Atletico are] still the champions of Spain! Why Spain and not elsewhere? This is my championship, my home. I'm happy here and Atletico is a great club." 

However, nearly two years have passed since then, and Arsenal will hope Griezmann might be developing itchy feet.

Like Henry before him, Griezmann spent the early part of his career predominantly playing on the flank. However, this season he has been deployed almost exclusively as a central striker. He’s taken to the position brilliantly, scoring 17 times in 30 La Liga games.

However, he’s far more than just a poacher. The Frenchman has created 47 goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates this season. At Arsenal, only the brilliant Mesut Ozil has mustered more.

Giroud has created only 25 chances this season—just over half of Griezmann’s tally. If Arsenal were to acquire Griezmann, he would act as both a superior finisher and supplier.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Thibault Camus/Associated Press

Seeing Zlatan Ibrahimovic turn up at Arsenal would be a huge surprise—but we know Wenger is a fan of his idiosyncratic gifts.

The Swede was invited to join the Gunners on trial as a teenager, but he felt affronted at the suggestion he should have to prove his talent. He went on to join Ajax, and the rest is history.

However, Neil Moxley of the Sunday People wrote back in November 2015 that Ibrahimovic was interested in the prospect of a move to north London this summer.

He’s arguably playing some of the best football of his career with Paris Saint-Germain. Certainly his goalscoring record has been outstanding, and he would provide leadership and presence on the pitch.

Ibrahimovic would not provide Arsenal’s attack with the injection of pace it needs. However, if Wenger cannot find a world-class talent to become the Gunners’ leading man immediately, the 34-year-old could be an option to bridge the gap until such a man becomes available. 

Paulo Dybala

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Prising Paulo Dybala away from Juventus after just one season would not be easy. The 22-year-old has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with the Turin side and is now regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players in Europe.

However, perhaps Wenger will return for a player he has tracked for some time. According to Charles Perrin of the Express, Arsenal were one of several clubs hot on his trail prior to his decision to sign for the Bianconeri.

Dybala’s price tag will have risen dramatically in the space of 12 months. However, the Premier League is infamous for its financial muscle. It’s possible Arsenal could make Juventus an offer they simply couldn’t refuse.

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James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.