Joe Cole believes the ‘beautiful’ Jonathan David is the ideal successor for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Premier League giants Arsenal, speaking to BT Sport.
As it stands, Arsenal have managed to keep their Champions League hopes alive despite, rather than because of, the supposed ‘goalscorers’ at Mikel Arteta’s disposal.
Alexandre Lacazette has scored just three times in 19 Premier League games. Yes, the Frenchman might be a more complete, all-round centre-forward than Aubameyang. But his relentless work-ethic and impressive hold-up play won’t be enough on it’s own to secure a return to the European elite.
So no wonder Arsenal have made a new number nine their top priority heading into the summer window. Especially with both Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract.
Finding one, however, will be easier said than done.
Everton would be loathe to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin, not least to a Premier League rival. Dusan Vlahovic is now leading the line at Juventus. And Alexander Isak reportedly favours a move to Barcelona.
That arguably leaves David, Lille’s ice-cool Canadian, as the most attainable target. David’s agent has already admitted that 2021/22 will be his ‘last season’ at the reigning Ligue 1 champions after all (Mail).
Will Jonathan David be Arsenal’s next striker?
“He plays the beautiful, raw way,” says Cole, the former Lille loanee namedropping David when asked to recommend a ideal Aubameyang successor.
“He runs on shoulders, good finisher, he’s a target man, he holds it up. All the eyes of Europe are looking at him.
“A lot of his teammates’ performances have dropped this year and his have actually stayed and gone up (another level). Once he gets in behind he is clinical. His touch is good, strong.
“He looks like a player who has even more levels to go up. I am not surprised lots of Premier League clubs are looking at him. He scores off both feet, he is a real talent.”
David scored 13 times during his debut season in France, firing Lille to their first Ligue 1 title in a decade.
He’s actually found the net at a more regular basis this term (16 in 35 games) even as Les Dogues slipped from the top of the tree to the mid-table mire.
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