By @ArsenalAddict

In the dark days towards the end of George Graham’s reign at Arsenal, when the flair and excitement of his earlier teams had given way to fearful pragmatism, our football was essentially route one, hoping for Ian Wright to do something special.

Graham eventually signed Chris Kiwomya and John Hartson, neither of whom lasted very long, and it was not until the arrival of Dennis Bergkamp and Arsene Wenger that we became a dynamic attacking unit once again.

Bergkamp was undoubtedly a generational talent, providing the ammunition for Wright, who only dropped below at least a goal every two games in his last season with the Gunners.

I saw an interview with Wrighty recently where he spoke of his regret that Christopher Wreh came on in the 1998 FA Cup final rather than him for what would have been his final appearance in an Arsenal shirt at the age of 34.

But while Wenger could often be criticised for his defensive acumen, he collected forwards like candy – and he made a decision in that title-winning season that Wright was declining.

First it was Nicolas Anelka, then of course Thierry Henry who caught the headlines as leading goalscorers.

But Wenger supplemented them with the likes of Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord, Francis Jeffers, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor.

With the exception of Jeffers, who didn’t make it, and van Persie who rejected a new contract, Wenger knew when to sell or release his forwards to ensure he had a fast and energetic front line.

Whether we played with a number ten such as Bergkamp or relied upon the pace and drive of our wide players, the forwards adapted and thrived whenever called upon.

Questions have been asked this season of the wisdom of giving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a new contract and whether it’s a reward for what he has done rather than what he will do.

Given his struggles in front of goal this season, those concerns have some justification, even though the team’s greater attacking challenges have undoubtedly had a role to play.

But you only have to look at how reluctant he is to press and his dip in efficiency to see that he needs to become strategic in his exertions.

It was only a few weeks ago that Alexandre Lacazette was being written off before his recent renaissance pulled us out of the mire – but his limitations in Arteta’s system are clear for all to see.

The Premier League has been so tight this season that finishing in the top six is not impossible, however fanciful a prospect that may seem as Arsenals’ form lurches from sublime to ridiculous.

The Europa League looks particularly strong this season but still offers a route to the Champions League that the club so desperately want and need.

The problems the club have faced in recent years are well documented: signing players who then no longer deliver on long, costly deals; and letting contracts run down, giving us little choice but to sell or exchange or release talents for way below their market values.

That’s why this summer is so important for Arsenal and why Edu and his trimmed-down team of scouts and analysts need to be putting plans in place now.

We have exciting, forward-thinking midfield talents such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe – and granted, more creativity is desperately needed – but we need to supplement them with younger strikers who have the intensity and desire to take us to the next level and beyond.

Arsenal need to be brave – and that means making wholesale forward departures at the end of the season.

Aubameyang will still have two years to go on his contract, so we can extract some value from him if we decide to sell him even if he will be 32 at the end of June.

Lacazette will be 30 in the summer with only a year left on his current deal and will want big money to extend. 

Then we have Eddie Nketiah who has not yet done enough to convince that he can be a prolific striker at the very highest level, despite his superb record for the England under-21s. If West Ham, Brighton or any other top-flight club offers us north of £20m for him, he should go.

Nicolas Pepe has appeared to be weighed down by the size of his transfer fee, but, just as with Willian, who has no such fee to burden or blame for his performances, he has often appeared to be a poor fit for the club. 

His recent improvement no the left suggests green shoots are finally emerging, but as with Lacazette, can he really contribute consistently in Arteta’s system and in the Premier League?

Such a dramatic front-line overhaul, coming alongside necessary midfield recruitment, may appear drastic.

But we could reasonably expect close to £100m in sales for those mentioned, presuming we got around half our money back on Pepe if Arteta decides to cash in. 

There’s money to be made from Mattei Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira as well, don’t forget.

I still hold out hope that we can convince Folarin Balogun to stay, his fleeting appearances suggesting that he could be a special talent with a keen eye for goal.

Few would argue that Gabriel Martinelli looks to be a world class player in the making – if we can keep him fit – and a player who can become a key striker for us.

With Celtic waning, perhaps Odsonne Edouard might want to test himself in the Premier League while former Gunner Donyell Malen continues to impress in Holland.

The Premier League is characterised by speed and energy, so a forward line of 30-somethings is always going to have its weaknesses.

Just as in midfield, Arsenal need athletes with intelligence, drive and the hunger to win that may be fading as our older players enter the twilights of their playing careers.

Hopefully Edu is already putting plans in place so that this time next season, we are truly competitive once more and establishing a core of younger players who can help us challenge for the title and Champions League progression rather than short-term solutions whose limitations have been clear for all to see.