Arsenal eye up ‘next Samuel Eto’o’ to boost their strike force

Danny Welbeck’s deadline-day arrival might have solved the immediate striker problems at Arsenal after Olivier Giroud’s injury, but Arsene Wenger is apparently already plotting another attacking addition.

Lyon forward Clinton N’Jie has drawn plaudits for his sparkling start to international life with Cameroon, and apparently has a release clause of just £800,000.

The Gunners’ title odds have drifted to 9/1 after an indifferent start to the campaign, but a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in their last match bought some succour to their fanbase.

Arsenal fans might be somewhat sceptical at the prospect of another young, unproven forward, especially as N’Jie has netted just once at senior level with Lyon, but his displays for the Indomitable Lions have been far more encouraging.

N’Jie notched on debut in a 2-0 win over DR Congo in AFCON 2015 qualification before scoring two more as Cameroon stunned Ivory Coast 4-1.

The 21-year-old also impressed in his last appearance for Lyon, coming off the bench to set up Samuel Umtiti’s equaliser as Les Gones drew 1-1 away at Paris St-Germain.

The Cameroon international can play either as a central striker or on the right flank, but would surely need to improve his record in front of goal to ever claim the former spot for the Gunners.

With Welbeck and Yaya Sanogo also trying to develop in similar fashion at the Emirates, and Olivier Giroud yet to truly be prolific for the Gunners, their fans might find the notion of another work-in-progress disheartening.

Aside from the near miss with Gonzalo Higuain in the summer of 2013, Wenger has avoided attempting to bring in the big name forward Arsenal fans have been demanding since Robin van Persie’s exit.

N’Jie would far from sate that thirst, but Wenger might feel that the Cameroonian is too good an opportunity to miss out on this January.

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