Should Arsenal sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea?

Arsenal willing to meet Abraham terms

Over the last couple of weeks an interesting link between Arsenal and Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has emerged that has a real feasibility about it.

With Chelsea already having purchased Timo Werner from RB Leipzig last summer for a significant fee, plus the protracted pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, the future of Abraham at Chelsea isn’t looking good.

Thomas Tuchel used the forward far less than his predecessor Frank Lampard. At times even preferring unorthodox striker options like Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz to the youth product.

Arsenal have entered the running for his signature and could offer him an easier route to top-level first team football.

According to The Express, Arsenal are willing the meet Abraham’s 125,000 pounds per week wage demands. An increase of 45,000 pounds on his current Chelsea deal.

David Ornstein of the Athletic however feels that the Gunners would need to offload one of their strikers, most likely Alexandre Lacazette.

Should Arsenal sign Abraham?

It is a tough question on many levels because of Arsenal’s history with Chelsea signings for a start. ‘The Chelsea rejects’ as some describe, David Luiz, Petr Cech and Willian have had very mixed outcomes since moving. High wages and little reward is a fair assessment although Luiz’s contribution far outweighs the others.

Abraham though is different. Whilst still surplus to requirements, when third to Werner and possibly Haaland it isn’t a damning label. Abraham is also much younger at 23 and of course homegrown. Something Arsenal seem to be pursuing with the likes of Ben White, James Maddison and Aaron Ramsdale linked with moves.

Abraham scored 15 Premier League goals for Chelsea in 2019/20 and despite scoring less in 2020/21, had a better goal per 90 score and xG per 90 than Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the same campaign.

Abraham’s style is very much to be the fox in the box. A finisher and poacher. All well and good, however, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has liked using Alexandre Lacazette because of his hold-up play and, despite the Chelsea’s man’s 6’3 height, he isn’t particularly known for these described traits.

Abraham would need service and that has been a mixed bag at Arsenal. Little to no creation in the first half of last season although there was an upturn in the second phase of the campaign.

In addition, Lacazette had a better shot conversion (34%) than Harry Kane (21%) last year. It is worth mentioning this placed Lacazette 3rd in the league behind Hueng-min Son and Ilkay Gundogan – Kane meanwhile placed 9th.

Therefore, if Arsenal are looking to increase chance frequency why not stick with the Frenchman for now instead of forking out a reported 40 million-pounds on Abraham?

With one year left on Lacazette’s deal, maybe more options would be available to Arsenal in a season’s time. Abraham as a profile makes some sense with the themes shown this window. However, due to the financial outlay needed with so many other areas ahead in regards to priority of strengthening, leaves Abraham dwindling in a strange place on the list of targets.