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Arsenal have started the 2023/24 season in an impressive manner, all things considered. The Gunners have won five of their opening eight games, scoring in every single fixture.
However, football is a game of numbers and the statistics hovering over Mikel Arteta's attacking output provide a worrying outcome. According to WhoScored.com, the north Londoners have created only seven big chances all season.
To put that in perspective, Arsenal have scored 11 goals meaning four of them were not classed as big chances. And in comparison to the rest of the Premier League, Newcastle (8th), Liverpool (2nd), Tottenham (4th), Brighton (3rd), Chelsea (14th) and Man City (1st) have all created double their tally.
Last week's 2-2 draw with North London rivals Tottenham demonstrated their downfall even further. Gabriel Jesus squandered a huge chance inside the penalty area after dispossessing James Maddison before Arteta's men failed to create a final opportunity to win the game.
Since then, talk over movement in the transfer window has gathered pace with Ivan Toney said to be on their radar. Reports on Tuesday, via the Mirror, claimed that the north Londoners were stepping up their interest in the 27-year-old ahead of the January transfer window.
There has also been hope of pulling off the remarkable signing of Victor Osimhen after a video was posted from Napoli's own TikTok account seeming to mock the striker. The Nigeria international's future at the Italian champions is currently unclear, leaving Arsenal on red alert.
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However, technical director Edu Gaspar is identifying alternatives around Europe. According to reports, Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez is of interest to the Gunners after his sizzling form in the Netherlands.
The Times have claimed that Gimenez is on Arsenal's radar after scouts were sent to keep tabs on the Mexican's progress. The 22-year-old has bagged 32 goals in 52 games for Feyenoord, including a hat-trick in their De Klassieker derby against Ajax.
If Arsenal are going to sign a striker, they must trim Arteta's squad in order to meet Financial Fair Play regulations. Reports in Mexico over the summer claimed that Gimenez would cost more than £40million, leaving the Gunners with a decision to make in the January window.
Whilst the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid monitor Osimhen and Brentford demand a whopping £80million for Toney, a move for Gimenez may be the smarter and more-suitable option for Arsenal.
