Having seen out tough fixtures thanks to the defensive unity that elevated Mikel Arteta’s men to second place, Arsenal are crying out for a new striker, and while their first choice is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, they may buy Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich should talks with United drop through. The Gunners made a £40 million offer for the Villa star, but it was swiftly turned down as Villa put him at around £60 million. After Villa decided against selling, there is hope for Arsenal to move on—in came Tel.
With Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the rest of the season, Arsenal need firepower upfront, which is why the young French forward has been on their radar for quite some time. Tel is a very good forward and is able to operate throughout the frontline. But is he the right man to fill Arsenal’s manager’s seat?
Why Arsenal Need a New Striker (Yes, It’s That Bad)
If Arsenal’s attack this season has been as unpredictable as the WiFi connection in a crowded coffee shop, then they should give out A1 Failing grades. One of the Premier League’s most reliable strikers throughout the season, Gabriel Jesus, is out for the year with a knee problem. Kai Havertz has been inconsistent in the number 9 role, though on his good moments, they have been brilliant. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah has failed to deliver in the critical moments.
It leaves Mikel Arteta with a decision to make big. Should he go for a proven Premier League goal scorer like Watkins or go for the unknown such as Tel? A risky but exciting move for the latter would suffice.
Mathys Tel: The Future Superstar Arsenal Needs?
Tel is not like some young player; he is one of the brightest talents in European football. He had just 19 years on his side at Bayern Munich despite limited game time and has already given some indication of brilliance. The Frenchman has enough pace, dribbling skills and two-footed ability to cause terror. He’s also versatile enough to play anywhere in the frontline and is an attractive option for Arsenal’s fluid attacking setup.
However, there’s one small problem—Tottenham. Yes, reportedly, Spurs have reached a verbal agreement with Bayern for Tel at £50 million. They could have to stump up more money to wrest him from the hands of Arsenal. After all, who cares exactly between Arsenal and Tottenham at the moment? It’s like deciding to dine at a Michelin starplace or not, a roadside food stall maybe? The Gunners have a proper project on the cards… Spurs are… well, let’s just say their Champions League hopes have gone quicker than their early season form.
Can Tel Thrive at Arsenal?
Tel has all the talent to make a success of it in the Premier League. Would he fit in Arsenal’s system? This is a team that is desperate to play positional play, transition quickly and high press. Raw pace and technical ability may make Tel a good recruit.
The biggest concern? Experience. Bayern have handed Tel little chance to establish himself as an established starter. At Arsenal, he would have more opportunities, but there is no guarantee he would be the main man upfront. This could also mean that he will have to fight for minutes with Havertz and Nketiah, and that will affect his development.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have helped young talent get a lift before; indeed, look at Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. If Tel joins, he could go as far as becoming Europe’s deadliest forward in a few years.
My Take: Should Arsenal Go for Tel?
Ollie Watkins is the most logical option from a purely logical perspective. He is a Premier League-proven striker who would hit the ground running once he gets to the club. However, Arsenal themselves have had to take note of Villa’s reluctance to sell.
There is also the prospect of Mathys Tel. He’s young and unproven, yes, but it was the same when Thierry Henry arrived at Arsenal. However, if the Gunners are prepared to take a risk, Tel could provide a solution for the long term rather than the short term. Plus, stealing him off Spurs would be the icing on the cake.
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