As Arsenal prepare for a crucial season following consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta appear determined to equip the squad with the necessary talent to finally claim the top spot. With initial reinforcements already secured, attention now seems to be turning towards bolstering the attacking options, particularly with a potential eye on striking up a formidable partnership.
Reports have intensified recently regarding Arsenal`s long-standing interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze. It`s suggested the 27-year-old, formerly of Arsenal`s academy, has agreed personal terms, with discussions between the clubs underway regarding a fee reportedly linked to his £68m release clause.
However, the plot thickens with emerging links to another attacker: Ademola Lookman. According to recent information, Arsenal are among several clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, West Ham United, and Napoli, monitoring the Nigerian international`s situation at Atalanta.
Acquiring Lookman would require a significant outlay, with a reported price tag hovering around £50 million. This represents a substantial investment for an attacking player, yet Lookman`s form over the past couple of seasons in Serie A presents a compelling case.
Lookman`s Resurgence and Impressive Output
Ademola Lookman`s journey has been somewhat circuitous. After spells in England with Everton and Fulham that didn`t fully ignite, his move to Italy has seen a remarkable transformation. At Atalanta, he has consistently delivered impressive numbers, shedding any doubts about his capabilities at the highest level.
Across 118 appearances for the Bergamo club, Lookman has contributed a combined 52 goals and 25 assists over 7538 minutes of play. This equates to a goal involvement roughly every 97.89 minutes – a rate that underlines his clinical efficiency in front of goal and creative contribution.
His performance data over recent seasons paints a picture of consistent threat:
- 2022/23: 33 appearances, 1858 minutes, 15 goals, 8 assists (0.69 goal involvements per match / 80.78 minutes per goal involvement)
- 2023/24: 45 appearances, 2809 minutes, 17 goals, 10 assists (0.60 goal involvements per match / 104.03 minutes per goal involvement)
- 2024/25: 40 appearances, 2871 minutes, 20 goals, 7 assists (0.67 goal involvements per match / 106.33 minutes per goal involvement)
These statistics showcase a player who has found his rhythm, demonstrating reliability in contributing directly to goals season after season.
A Potentially Lethal Pairing: Eze and Lookman?
The notion of Lookman being a “dream forward” for Eze is predicated on their complementary skill sets. Eze is renowned for his creativity, dribbling ability, and capacity to unlock defenses with a perceptive pass or a mazy run. His strength lies in creating opportunities and carrying the ball forward from midfield areas.
Lookman, on the other hand, has proven himself to be a finisher and a forward capable of operating across the front line, finding intelligent positions, and converting chances. While he also possesses dribbling skills, his primary impact in Italy has been his tangible output in goals and direct assists in the final third.
Imagine Eze operating behind or alongside Lookman. Eze`s vision to thread a ball through, combined with Lookman`s instinct for goal and movement off the ball, could create a dynamic and unpredictable attacking axis. Eze, needing reliable targets to finish the chances he creates, could find a perfect partner in Lookman, whose finishing metrics speak for themselves. Conversely, Lookman would benefit from the service provided by a player with Eze`s creative flair.
Of course, securing Lookman for £50m amid competition from several other clubs will be a significant challenge. It reflects his elevated status after his success in Italy, a stark contrast to his earlier Premier League struggles. For Arsenal, it would be a calculated gamble on a player who has demonstrably added a clinical edge to his undoubted talent.
This potential move for Ademola Lookman underscores Arsenal`s ambition in the transfer market. Should they manage to bring both him and Eberechi Eze to the Emirates, they would be adding not just individual talent, but potentially forging a new, exciting partnership that could significantly boost their firepower and title aspirations next season. The prospect of Eze feeding a “world-class” goal machine like Lookman is certainly one to pique the interest of the Arsenal faithful.
