Arsenal’s need for a striker has just sky-rocketed after Mikel Arteta’s side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool on Sunday.
The issue wasn’t Arsenal getting knocked out, but how they dominated for large periods, especially in the first half, yet failed to score or even put Alisson Becker under real pressure.
Before the game, fans were calling for the club to sign Ivan Toney. He is due to return from his betting ban for Brentford on January 16.
Well, those very same Arsenal supporters will be screaming for him now, but what if they can’t sign him? How about someone like Bournemouth’s in-form star, Dominic Solanke?
That was put to Michael Dawson and he stated that Dominic Solanke, once on the books of Liverpool, is now ‘proving’ he can perform at this level, as he told Sky Sports News (06/01/24 at 2:10 pm).
The player who came through Chelsea’s academy, then didn’t manage to break through, went to Liverpool, struggled further and then joined Bournemouth.
It hasn’t been an easy ride for the 26-year-old, but things are now starting to come together, including links to the big boys of the Premier League.
Dominic Solanke at Arsenal
“It’s all about timing,” said Dawson. “You look at Solanke earlier on in the season, he struggled. He was at Liverpool, made the move to Bournemouth and it wasn’t easy in the Premier League.
“But you go and find your form in the Championship. Now we are seeing in the Premier League, which proves he can do it at this level.
“He is a player, coming up to the January transfer window where you think, who is in need of a striker? A lot of teams. Imagine how much he would cost. Bournemouth don’t want to lose him. It’s no surprise that teams are linked with him.
“For me, I am a huge fan of Ivan Toney.”
Dominic Solanke stepping up
No one is going to doubt that Solanke is proving his worth now, but in terms of pressure, could he deliver for Arsenal?
That’s a different ball game altogether. Yes, his 12 goals in 19 Premier League games outshines anything Arsenal’s forward line is doing.
But the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are under constant pressure.
Plus, if you don’t do it for one game, more than likely, you don’t get another shot to start, so your rhythm is disrupted.
That’s something Solanke would have to get used to if he ever decided to step up a level.
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