Arsenal managed to keep hold of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over the summer, tying him down to a new contract whilst also avoiding the departure of Alexandre Lacazette.
With Eddie Nketiah emerging too, Arsenal didn’t feel the need to dip into the transfer market for a new striker – but that doesn’t mean they weren’t linked with some centre forwards.
One of the strangest links came in August, as Calciomercato reported that Arsenal had made a move for Napoli striker Andrea Petagna.
The move was allegedly rejected ‘immediately’ by Napoli, with Mikel Arteta supposedly viewing Petagna as a striker who could bring a new dimension to the Arsenal attack.
Petagna, 25, joined Napoli from SPAL in January before heading back to SPAL on loan, and his record for them – 29 goals in 74 games – isn’t too shabby at all.
A big, physical target man at 6ft 2in tall, Petagna is like no other striker at Arsenal, and doesn’t particularly fit what many would believe Arteta is seeking up top.
Petagna has only played twice for Napoli this season with a couple of substitute appearances, so maybe he is a name for Arsenal to keep tabs on moving forward – but his agent has now commented on the rumours surrounding his future.
Giuseppe Riso has been quoted by Tuttomercatoweb as saying that Napoli ‘refused offers’ for Petagna, which may well have come from Arsenal, and he believes the ‘unique’ striker will become a key player for Napoli over time.
“Andrea has scored 30 goals in the last two seasons. He is a player with different characteristics and I believe unique,” said Riso. “He will carve out his space and will be an important pawn for Napoli. National team? He is aiming for it, he can certainly have his say in Europe as well. Napoli refused offers for Andrea, he never had any doubts,” he added.
