Arsenal should move for touted Alexandre Lacazette replacement

Arsenal are reportedly interested in a move for Gent forward Jonathan David, with the Gunners said to be lining up the 20-year-old as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette has been linked with Atletico Madrid and has been out of favour under Mikel Arteta, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also move on this summer.

According to Goal, the Gunners are lining up a £17.5m bid for the Canadian forward Jonathon David who the club have been monitoring over the course of this season.

So far this term David has scored 18 goals in 24 starts for Gent in the Jupiler League, with his side sitting second behind Club Brugge.

More from Arsenal FC

• Gunners do just enough to claim victory in season opener
• Arsenal: We bottled it but I don’t care
• Arsenal complete record deal for Declan Rice
• Arsenal splurges on transfers as they aim to collect silverware
• Arsenal complete the signing of Kai Havertz

While the Belgian Jupiler League is not one of the most well-regarded European leagues, David has been in superb form with seven assists in addition to being the division’s top scorer, averaging 0.94 non-penalty goals and assists per match.

His key strengths are his speed, dribbling and technique, with his ball-carrying ability, in particular, making him a valuable potential addition to the Arsenal squad.

Neither Lacazette nor Aubameyang are naturally-suited to dribbling the ball from deep, preferring to create space with their off the ball work.

While Lacazette likes to play to feet, he usually uses his physicality to create space so that he can shoot.

Arsenal are also trying to lower the age range of their squad, with Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah receiving minutes in their front line this season.

Nicolas Pepe is also just 24, but with the Gunners lacking the financial resources of their rivals, acquiring a young play at the start of their career makes far more sense.