Arsenal need a striker. Could they REALLY try to lure Ollie Watkins after he KO'd them? Asks SAMI MOKBEL

Tucked safely away in Edu's back pocket is a list of names. An expensive menu of footballers who trade on goals and assists. Game-changers.

The Arsenal sporting director, in cahoots with manager Mikel Arteta, has been tasked with upgrading the team's forward line ahead of next season - Sunday's fruitless display in the shock 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa merely amplifying their mission to improve at the business end of the pitch.

Who they turn to, however, is dependent on a number of variables. Cost, inevitably, will likely become the most prevalent factor of all. Proven attackers don't come cheap.

But, interestingly, there is also a decision to be made on the type of forward Arteta targets. For a while it looked certain Arsenal would look to sign a traditional centre-forward in the mould of Brentford striker Ivan Toney.

But more recently they have considered turning their attentions towards a more modern profile of attacker, one whose all-round game and versatility means he can be deployed primarily as a lone striker but also provide an option out wide.

Discussions over how they proceed will accelerate in the coming weeks, particularly given the ongoing injury concerns of Gabriel Jesus - the club's recognised central forward.

But as exciting as that all sounds, the process will likely leave Edu agitated; the exercise of signing strikers fast becoming one of the most laborious in football recruitment.

Speaking to Mail Sport, one Premier League sporting director highlighted the stark difficulties clubs are facing in search of players who can make the difference.

He stresses that it is not only an issue of cost, but also because there is a shortage of conventional No 9s in European football - a trend that stems from clubs moving