Arsenal fans are once again dreaming of a prolific striker who can shoulder their title ambitions. The January window came and went without any fresh firepower, leaving the Gunners short up front as they wrestle with injuries and aim to keep pace with their rivals.
A closer look at Liam Delap
Gary Lineker believes Arsenal’s best bet isn’t the high-profile Victor Osimhen, who many say could cost around $73–84 million but might jump closer to $121–133 million now that Arsenal’s need is public knowledge. Instead, he’s urging the club to go after 22-year-old Liam Delap. “If I were them, I’d go for Delap,” Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. “I know he’s young and not entirely proven, but I like him and his movement.”
Delap’s emergence at Ipswich Town has been impossible to ignore. Ten Premier League goals for a side battling at the wrong end of the table is no small achievement, and it’s the kind of promise that’s led to whispers of interest from Manchester United and Chelsea as well. Though he signed a long-term deal at Ipswich, some pundits wonder if Manchester City retains a buyback clause. Alan Shearer also rates Delap’s potential: “He’s been one of their best players. I like him, he’s had a good season, he brings a positivity and a real strength.”
Osimhen, meanwhile, remains a tantalizing option. Shearer raved about the Nigerian’s finishing, saying, “Victor Osimhen is there, isn’t he? He would, without a doubt, score goals for them. The problem they’ve got now is that the whole world knows they need a forward.” That open secret means any Arsenal approach could be met with a price tag far above the norm, especially after Osimhen’s title-winning exploits in Italy.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly voiced the need for reinforcements, especially with injuries to key forwards. The fact that no one arrived in January sparked criticism from fans who fear the club missed a chance to strengthen during a tight title race. Now, the debate centers on whether to gamble big on a more established name or trust a younger striker who may carry a lower fee and less pressure.
Delap’s youth means there are questions about whether he can handle the expectations at a top-six club, but Lineker’s faith in him stands out. As Shearer pointed out, “He could be a big asset in a year or two.” For Arsenal, who’ve spent years searching for the perfect goalscorer, that timeline might feel like a gamble. Yet it also represents a fresh start, one that could pay off in a more sustainable way than a marquee signing who costs a fortune.
Whether Arsenal opts for the proven star or the rising talent, one thing’s clear. Everyone now knows the Gunners are shopping for a striker, and that knowledge alone may drive up the cost of any deal. Arteta will have to balance his immediate needs with the club’s long-term goals, but if you believe Lineker, the answer might be simpler than anyone realizes.
