It has been reported in the Daily Star that Arsenal are "interested" in signing Edin Dzeko from Manchester City this summer, no fee has been mentioned but with the arrival of Liverpool's Raheem Sterling for £49 million the Bosnian international would have dropped even further in the pecking order at the Etihad.

It has been well documented that the centre forward position is an area that Arsene Wenger must strengthen if his Arsenal side are to become serious contenders to Chelsea in this forthcoming season.

How does Dzeko compare to Olivier Giroud?

Since his arrival in January 2011, the Bosnian striker has netted 50 times in 130 games with most of his recent performances consisting of being introduced as a substitute, he has recently found opportunities limited due to the emergence of Sergio Aguero and the arrival of Wilfried Bony.

The 29-year-old has scored goals wherever he has been, signing for £27 million from Wolfsburg and bringing a big reputation from the Bundesliga, where he scored 66 goals in 111 games.

Giroud on, the other hand, seems to improve with every season after admitting it took him a couple of seasons to realise what is expected of him in the Premier League.

The French striker now has 41 goals in 97 appearances for the gunners, which includes the 14 goals in 27 league games last season.

They are a very similar style of player, his arrival would all depend on Manchester City's valuation. If Arsenal were able to get him in a cut-price deal he could turn out to be a very useful addition to a promising squad.

Where would he fit into Arsenal's style of play?

Dzeko is adaptable and has shown that throughout his career at the Etihad and in the Bundesliga, whether he is deployed as a lone striker or part of a front two, he always gives his side a good outlet as well as causing the opposition problems with his movement and aerial ability.

It is no secret that Arsenal are light in this area of the field. Danny Welbeck is currently unavailable due to the knee injury he picked up against Chelsea back in April and there is also the question of how Wenger will utilise Theo Walcott and if he will even sign that contract extension. 

One shining light already in pre-season are the performances from 19-year-old Chuba Akpom, who bagged a hat-trick in his start against the Singapore select XI. Wenger has already confirmed that the England Under-21 international will not be sent out on loan and is in his plans for this season, but due to his age it would be a surprise if he started many Premier League games in the 2015/16 campaign.

There is arguably a need for maybe two more strikers with at least one needing to contribute 25+ goals a season, which is something that is lacking within the present squad.

Alexis Sanchez has been used through the middle in several games and looked uncomfortable, the Chilean is a lot better suited coming from a deeper or a wide position as he has shown in the Copa America and last season's Premier League campaign.

Arsenal's ambition will be put under scrutiny once more if this area is not addressed effectively; it has been a problem since the departure of Robin van Persie to Manchester United in 2012, a problem that must be rectified this summer.

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About the author
Andy Rees
I am a freelance football writer who mainly concentrates on everything Arsenal