Darren Bent believes that if such a move was possible, he would take Romelu Lukaku at Arsenal.
Questions are set to be asked about the Gunners’ starting striker for the beginning of the new season especially after news of Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
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The Brazilian was absent from the squad that beat Monaco on penalties in the Emirates Cup on Wednesday night.
Boss Mikel Arteta said after the game that Jesus will miss the opening weeks of the season after having a ‘little procedure’ on his knee.
That leaves Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun as their options, with Kai Havertz also able to play in the forward role.
However, former striker Bent says wantaway Chelsea man Lukaku is a player who he thinks could be a smart signing for Arsenal, making a comparison to former Gunners and Blues striker Olivier Giroud.
Speaking to Gabby Agbonlahor on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “I said it before when we were speaking in the pre-show meeting about centre forwards that are out there.
“I’m a big fan of Nketiah, I know not everyone is but I think he’s a goalscorer, if you give him opportunities he will score.
“I think Balogun did really well [on loan at Reims] so I think a lot of Arsenal fans are kind of crying out to see what he can do.
“But I even said for a year, if it was an option, I would’ve taken Lukaku. I know a lot of Arsenal fans are probably thinking, ‘absolutely not!’, but I think I would.
“He’s got pedigree in the Premier League, he’s a big, physical presence, he’s a battering ram. A little bit like when Olivier Giroud was at Arsenal, you can play off him.
“I think that would have been good but if you can’t get him and you don’t fancy Nketiah, you don’t fancy Balogun, there’s not many out there.
“[Dusan] Vlahovic is one that people are talking about but he’s already turned Arsenal down before, so would you want to go back after him?”
Bent has previously expressed his adoration for Lukaku as he said in May that the Belgian would score more goals than Jesus at Arsenal.
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Such a switch from west to north London seems unlikely, although Lukaku does currently face an uncertain future at Chelsea.
Following his loan spell back at Inter Milan last season, he has been linked with a move to fellow Serie A giants Juventus.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino hinted that his career at the Blues is over after he was left out of their pre-season squad.
With 121 Premier League goals to his name though, Lukaku could prove to be a smart acquisition should Arsenal ever make a move.
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