I went to watch £38m Arsenal target in Italy - I am convinced he can solve Mikel Arteta issue

Arsenal's need to sign a new centre forward is clear to see. Mikel Merino has been utilised as a makeshift No.9 in the last couple of months but he is not the long-term solution to their struggles up front.

Although the Gunners thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 last Tuesday and were a threat in front of goal, they have scored just nine goals in their last eight Premier League matches. Mikel Arteta's side have failed to beat Brentford, Everton, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham in that period.

If Arsenal had an out-an-out striker to put away chances and get them over the line in tight matches, the Gunners would have accumulated more points and edged them closer to Liverpool in the title race. This summer, the lack of natural goalscorer in the squad must be resolved - and fast.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Someone that Arsenal should target is Atalanta hitman Mateo Retegui. The 25-year-old has been exceptional form for the Bergamo-based club this season, scoring 26 goals and adding six assists in 43 matches across all competitions. He is the leading goalscorer in Serie A, having found the net 23 times.

It was . The Gunners have approached Atalanta about signing the forward, having expressed an interest in a deal. Aston Villa, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Napoli are also in the mix to sign him.

Arsenal sent scouts to watch Retegui when Atalanta travelled to Young Boys in the Champions League earlier this season. La Dea are understood to have set a £38.4million price tag for Retegui as they aim to make a considerable profit on their £23.9m purchase from Genoa last summer.

For me, the Gunners should attempt to sign Retegui. I went to watch Atalanta's 2-0 win over Bologna at Gewiss Stadium on Sunday and Retegui was the standout performer by a distance.

He gave Gian Piero Gasperini's side the lead in the third minute, slotting home from close-range after Raoul Bellanova's low cross. The movement from Retegui inside the box to manoeuvre half-a-yard of space and get to the ball first was very impressive, and he had the composure to finish past Federico Ravaglia.

18 minutes later, Retegui turned provider as Atalanta doubled their advantage. The former Boca Juniors forward chested down a long straight pass inside the right channel and thought he had been fouled by Jhon Lucumi.

However, he got back on his feet and instead drove past his marker to the by-line. Retegui, despite looking like he was falling to ground again, managed scoop a delightful ball into the box for Mario Pasalic to score.

It was a terrific piece of forward play from the Italy international, as he showed strength to hold off the defender, determination and pace to drive past him and then the technique to cross for Pasalic to fire him.

Other than having a direct hand in both of Atalanta's goals, Retegui led the line to perfection. Bologna dominated possession for most of the game and Retegui needed to be disciplined when his side didn't have the ball.

Retegui covered a whole lot of ground and pressed from the front, causing Bologna to make a number of mistakes and give Atalanta some breathing space. He didn't allow the Bologna defenders a moment's peace.

The Italian won four aerial duels, completed two tackles and won two fouls.

In possession, Retegui oozed class. He made three key passes, completed two dribbles and scored his only shot. If there was any scouts watching him, they would have no doubt been impressed with his performance.

As a reward, Retegui was handed the Player of the Match prize for his efforts. It was the seventh time he has received that accolade this season, showing that this wasn't a flash in the pan.

You could tell that, for the most part, Retegui was a class above the rest on the pitch and possessed the credentials to play at the very top - and Arsenal should take advantage and sign him.

Out of the strikers that have been mentioned, he is among the most realistic and cheapest targets. At the reported £38m, the Gunners could do much worse but to look at Retegui ahead of others.

He would slot straight into that No.9 birth with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. If he can produce the numbers that he has done for Atalanta with the players alongside him, it's scary to think what he could do for Arsenal.

That is no disrespect to the likes of Ademola Lookman, Pasalic and Ederson among others, but Martinelli, Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard could give him much better and quality service.

Right now, it does feel like Arsenal are an elite No.9 away from winning the Premier League title. Having watched Retegui in-person on Sunday and across the season on TV, I think he has the potential to transform the Gunners and help them beat Liverpool and Manchester City to the title next season.