Why Arsenal must plot a summer swoop for Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard
According to Daily Mirror (h/t The Daily Express), Arsenal are interested in signing Celtic star Odsonne Edouard this summer.
Odsonne Edouard, 22, has been prolific since he first came to the club in August 2017. He initially joined Celtic on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and a year later, they made him their club-record signing for £9million.
The Frenchman has netted 61 times in 125 appearances, including 27 in all competitions this season and he is enjoying the most prolific campaign of his career yet, supplying 19 assists as well in 45 appearances across all competitions including a league-high 22 in the Premiership.
Such hot form has also attracted attention from Arsenal’s Premier League rivals such as Everton and Leicester City, the Daily Mirror claims. (h/t The Daily Express)
Meanwhile, Arsenal are yet to sort out the future of their star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The 30-year-old has been prolific for the club since his January 2018 switch from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 61 goals in 96 appearances.
The Gabon international has scored 20 goals across all competitions this term and is leading the scoring charts for the Gunners, with only Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy netting more Premier League goals.
The striker may be 30 years of age, but he is a proven goalscorer and has been superb for an Arsenal team who have struggled to finish in the top four of the Premier League table. However, Aubameyang is out of contract at the end of 2021 campaign and Manchester United are plotting a move for him this summer, the report adds. (h/t The Daily Express)
It remains to be seen what happens with the Gabonese at the end of the season, but Arsenal must do everything in their powers to sign Edouard from Celtic.
Mikel Arteta’s side have had few issues up front, with none of the forwards scoring consistently barring Aubameyang. Alexandre Lacazette has not yet discovered his best form despite being in his third season at the Emirates. The Frenchman has only 9 goals to his name, whereas, he needs to be scoring frequently to support Aubameyang and lift the team to the top.
Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah are the other two centre-forward options available at Arteta’s disposal but both of them are too young to be depended upon for a whole campaign.
The Gunners broke their club-record transfer by signing Nicolas Pepe from Lille on a £72m deal last summer. However, Pepe, who is a wide forward, hasn’t lived up to the hefty price-tag, managing just four goals and six assists in the league.
Thus, it is important for Arteta to sign a prolific goalscorer this summer and Edouard would be a smart fit at the Emirates Stadium.
Read more
- Why Arsenal should make a move for Gent forward Jonathan David
- Why Arsenal must make a move for Kostas Tsimikas in the summer
- Comparing Emery and Arteta – What has Arsenal’s current boss changed to bring defensive stability
Edouard has already proven himself in the Scottish league and has the qualities to make the step up to the Premier League. He has netted 61 times in 125 appearances for Celtic, whilst helping the club win the historic treble ‘Treble’ last season. Truly, those numbers are exceptional for a fairly young striker.
Verdict
The Frenchman would help in increasing Arsenal’s productivity in front of goal and considering his record for the Hoops, he could prove to be a fantastic long-term investment at just £30m.
