STRIKING GOLD: ARSENAL HUNT FOR THE NEXT HAALAND

THE CASE FOR A HIGH-POTENTIAL #9

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David Ornstein dropped one of those ‘United would listen to offers for Rashford, but would prefer to keep him’ stories which means they want rid. They're slimming down with plans to bulk up on players built around a clear identity. Seems they're going for a PROJECT BRITISH core strategy. Quite Brexity from a Brexity ownership group, but let's not forget that the pioneer of this strategy was actually French – Sir Arsene Wenger.

Personally, I like the idea for United because it's an actual idea. Them piling millions into the best British talent is a more specific version of what Arsenal has been doing (Prem proven). They'll operate like Bilbao with their Basque players. Signing only British likely means your players are already adapted to the league's rigors, the culture, and the food. They've hired some decent people and they have outrageous piles of cash – or do they? The way they spend, they'll be up against PSR limits and the only way out is likely 'CONTRACT TERMINATION BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.' It's going to be a slow burn. I just hope the do the right thing and hire Gareth Southgate.

Arsenal fans are talking up Marcus Rashford. Literally unplayable last season, total chump this season. He's 26, nearly 27 (don't say it). I think he might have been in a toxic culture for so long that it's impossible to rehab him. Big fat contract, inconsistent, and quite injury-prone... if our club is all about the right characters, do you really see them opting for a player whose biggest highlight this season was a birthday trip to a Belfast Hippodrome? The man has more comps of him doing zilch to press dangerous attacks than he does for Skills & Goals HD.

It's a no from me, dawg.

Arsenal will likely move on a forward player, and we're pretty sure that name isn't Ivan Toney, though I’d doubt it’s totally dead. If Arteta's new options don't work out, he's still a very good player.

The two players worth keeping an eye on this summer are Evan Ferguson (Brighton) and Sesko (RB Leipzig). These two aren't world-class yet but they fit a category of strikers who could make the jump because they have similar attributes to players at a higher level.

Sesko is interesting. He replaced Haaland at Leipzig. At 6 foot 4, he's got the frame you look for in a modern striker. His touch is impressive, he can drop deep, run the channels, and cause problems in the area with his growing physical presence. He's raw, no doubt, but he's a kid by striker standards (20) and clearly has a lot of potential.

I was mostly unconvinced by him until I saw him cause Real Madrid all sorts of problems with his direct running and all-around box menace. His finishing just wasn't Champions League level, but there aren't many 20-year-olds in Germany who can harass Madrid like that.

He'll come with that RB mindset for off-the-ball movement, so no issues there. I could easily see him giving us what Kai does from the front, but with more finishing ability and better ball striking. Under Arteta's coaching, who knows how good he could be? Another thing I like is his cost: RB players usually have reasonable release clauses.

Evan Ferguson is also very interesting. The talk of the town in 2023, he's not getting much action this year. He's only played a full game once in 2024. Something's clearly up, and Brighton fans have been grumbling about it.

This kid is special. De Zerbi had this to say about him:

“Evan could become a great striker because he has all the qualities, both physical and technical. He has big potential.”

I don't want to hype the 19-year-old too much, but he's similar to Harry Kane. Not the tallest, but well-built. He's grown up in the Brighton system, so he's got the playing style IP down. He is a complete modern-day striker who understands movement on and off the ball. Quite a treat to watch.

His main attribute is his ball-striking and his craft in the box. He disguises his shots so well that keepers don't react right. His technique is sound, so he scores all types of goals. It's clear he loves that part of the game.

If Arsenal is moving away from a ready-made striker and wanted to invest in a sure thing, they wouldn't go far wrong trying to bring Evan to The Emirates.

I don't think Mr. Bloom will command mega fees for him because he's clearly out of favor at Brighton. So maybe £60m could be enough this summer.

Both players represent risk, and their striking profiles are different. But the similarities are there: physicality, great link-up play, good ball-striking, and good instincts around the box.

If we're not investing in the NOW striker market, then finding players with profiles similar to Haaland / Nunez is the way to go. Sesko and Ferguson fit the bill – both could go to the very top. Don't be shocked if the links to those two get stronger over the coming months.

Ok, that's all from me. See you in the comments. x