Arsenal Transfer News: Henry Says Gunners Need a 'World Class' Striker, So Here is a Shortlist of Four Forwards that Wenger Might Buy

Thierry Henry was perhaps a touch more scathing than he needed to be in his criticism of Arsenal, after Arsene Wenger's men failed to break down an as-well-drilled-as-they-come Chelsea side in the English Premier League game on Sunday.

Calling Wenger to sign a spine that runs through the centre of the team – a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a midfield powerhouse and a world-class striker – Henry made statements that were all too predictable.

Yes, Arsenal could use some (not plenty) of strengthening in the offseason, but with David Ospina looking quite assured between the sticks, do Arsenal really need to shell out money on a goalkeeper? Perhaps, only if they are able to buy Petr Cech from Chelsea, or even Hugo Lloris from Tottenham; otherwise it makes little sense.

Gabriel was brought in at centre-back, and Wenger will probably not look at buying another central defender, with Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, who is that central defensive spine of the team, and Calum Chambers the other options.

It does, however, look like Wenger will buy a defensive-minded midfielder in the summer, with Morgan Schneiderlin or William Carvalho looking the likely names, just to give Francis Coquelin and the squad that extra bit of competition and depth.

Then comes that striker, the one aspect that Henry probably hit the nail on the head on. As well as Olivier Giroud has been playing, and the Frenchman keeps improving every season, Arsenal could use a world-class striker, the kind of striker that puts fear into the opposing team's defence, much like Henry himself did.

The problem, though, lies in the who. It is easy enough to say Arsenal need a striker, but who can Wenger realistically buy in the summer, someone who can improve the team's striking force and probably nose ahead of Giroud in the pecking order.

Below is a shortlist of strikers that Arsenal can probably buy (please do take it with a pinch of salt).

Edinson Cavani: The most obvious name and probably the most likely signing as well. Cavani has been linked with a move to Arsenal and the Premier League for a while now, and it does look like the Uruguayan will move to a new club from PSG this summer. Cavani is the kind of striker that Wenger likes in his current system – a physical centre-forward, with good technical ability, who can bring his playmakers into play and also bang in the goals, be that with his head or feet.

Cavani will not come cheap, however, but Wenger has shown over the past couple of seasons, he is not averse to spending big money to bring in world-class quality.

Karim Benzema: This is a name linked with Arsenal ever since he became a star at Lyon. Every season that rolls by, Benzema seems to be linked with a move away from Real Madrid, and one suspects this summer will be no different either. Wenger is a big fan, but the Arsenal manager has previously said he will not consider buying Benzema, as long as Giroud is at the club.

Also is Benzema really that imposing centre-forward that Arsenal need to link up play. He can do that, no doubt, but that is not exactly Benzema's A game, and also whether Real Madrid will be willing to sell remains to be seen. If the European champions go for a Sergio Aguero or Radamel Falcao, then Benzema might be deemed surplus to requirements, otherwise it looks like the Frenchman will be sticking at the Bernabeu.

Radamel Falcao: The other striker who had that "world class" tag attached to him until this season. Little need be said about Falcao's campaign with Manchester United so far, with the Colombian looking a shadow of the striker that did scare defences so often over the last several years.

Only time will tell if it was Louis Van Gaal's system(s) that led to Falcao's loss of form or if the striker has indeed been caught up by Father Time. Manchester United might still make his loan move permanent, even if it looks unlikely at the moment, and if they don't, Falcao will definitely be up for sale.

Monaco might have to come down from their asking price owing to the poor season suffered by their player if Manchester United decide against signing him, and that might suit Arsenal to the 'T' as well. However, will Wenger be willing to shell out transfer money and a king's ransom in wages to sign a player who has not quite lit up the Premier League?

Robert Lewandowski: A couple of months ago, talk was rife about the Poland international possibly leaving Bayern Munich this summer, with Lewandowski not quite able to fit in to Pep Guardiola's style of play. However, Lewandowski seems to have found his groove in the last few games, and don't bank on Bayern selling their star striker in the summer.

If the improbable does happen, however, Arsenal should be right up there competing with the rest for Lewandowski's signature. Because, he is the perfect Arsenal striker – big, strong on the ball, technically sound, creative and with an eye for goal.

If none of the four above-mentioned strikers work out, maybe Wenger can find some magic potion to turn Henry back into a 25-year-old again and sign him on a free. That will definitely do the trick!