Xavi Barcelona 'Plan B' blueprint inspires Arsenal's transfer priority for Mikel Arteta this summer

Arsenal failed to bring in any strikers during the January transfer window despite interest in several options and a protracted pursuit of now Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

Arsenal were looking to add physicality and verticality to their attack. Traits shared by Vlahovic, and alternative target Alexander Isak, however not present in the Gunners remaining striking options of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already left and both the aforementioned strikers’ deals run out at the end of the season. Arsenal therefore will be targeting at least two forwards in the summer one would imagine, replacing the chasm opened up in the position.

If Mikel Arteta is looking for inspiration regarding who the club should be aiming for then the club can take some from Barcelona who themselves are in a similar boat to the Gunners.

Desperately trying to claw their way back into La Liga relevancy and now European contention, the Blaugrana are paying for the financial errors of the past. Ringing any bells?

In their own search for a striker with none forthcoming, Barca brought in Luuk de Jong with scepticism rife over the transfer.

De Jong however has been a positive force this season for Xavi Hernandez’s side and again was on hand to salvage a point in the Catalan derby against Espanyol.

“He is an example and I say that to the squad,” said Xavi after the draw. “He's a goal scorer and we brought him on to do that tonight. He already has had two goals and now he has one more.”

The game ended 2-2 and De Jong scored deep into stoppage time with a header to highlight again the benefit of having a forward who can score aerial chances.

It is important not to misunderstand the point being made here. This