Jonas Eidevall has told Arseblog News that he “would be disappointed” if Arsenal can’t add a striker in the January transfer window. The Gunners have already been very busy with the signings of attacking midfielders Victoria Pelova and Kathrine Kuhl, goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo and they have recalled Brazilian winger Gio from her loan at Everton.
While the Gunners have stocked up on creative talent following the loss of Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead to ACL injuries, they are still lighter on goals overall. Arseblog News asked Eidevall whether the club would add a proven goal scorer.
“I would be disappointed if we can’t bring in a prolific goalscorer in addition to the signings already. That should be a really important priority for us in this window with the number and the level of games we are playing.”
Arseblog News understands that the club are interested in Canadian striker Cloe Lacasse, who scored five goals in the Champions League group stage for Benfica this season, against opponents such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Arseblog News also asked Eidevall whether Arsenal are consciously bringing the age profile of the squad down, with the signings of Pelova (23), Kuhl (19) and Gio (19). Eidevall suggested it was more to do with Arsenal trying to be smart in the market.
“When we look at how we are going to progress the team long-term, we are not in the position in the market where we say ‘go off here and buy the best, from a global perspective, 26, 27, 28-year-olds who might be at their peak age.
“We have to be smarter and take the players earlier, see if we can grow together with these players. They have the potential, no guarantees, but the potential to be the best when they develop. That means that we as a team can also be the best.”
Eidevall also confirmed that the players had asked to wear black armbands for Sunday’s game against Chelsea in honour of Beth Mead’s mother June, who died last week.
“I want to send my condolences to Beth and her family for the loss of her mother. It’s been taking a lot of our energy as a team to have a teammate going through that. The players have asked if they can wear black armbands so we are going to do that.”
What a sad start to 2023 for Beth and her family. Condolences.
Odd of Jonas to talk about outsmarting the market with youngsters and then sign a 29-year-old. I will listen to the podcast later with great interest.
Tbf, Lacasse could be a market inefficiency. Scouting is not fully developed in the women’s game so very good players sometimes do end up in footballing backwaters. Rafa spent five years in China, Laura Wienroither was at a good team in Hoffenheim but given what she is showing now, that seemed like an undersell. But really I think Lacasse is Plan B after not getting Debinha. I don’t think it’s a strategy per se to go young, they just loom at Kuhl and Gio and think “yeah, get them now before it’s next to impossible.” We signed Gio and loaned… Read more »
I read Beth’s book and she’s such a lovely down to earth person.
Such a young age to lose your mother – and there’s nothing in this world like losing your Mum, even if she’s at an old age.
Thinking of Beth. Nothing worse than losing a family member. I lost someone to pancreatic cancer and it wasn’t easy given how much energy is required to fight it for the person affected let alone for family members spending time in hospitals listening to doctors opinions and hoping to make the right decisions for a loved one. Hopefully she had time with her before she passed and has strong support from loved ones.