Most Important Striker in PL part 2

Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Diego Costa, Alexis Sanchez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Sergio Aguero are the deadliest goal-scorer in PL 2016/2017 season. Until GW 26, their goals are in double digit number. This article will continue the analysis how big the rest of the strikers' influence to their team.

From the 4^th rank on the table, Arsenal with their sharp goal scorer Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean is not naturally a striker, he is a winger. At the first two season with The Gunners, he played at wing, usually left wing forward. After the club failed to land any top targetman to compete with Giroud, Arsene Wenger decided to put Sanchez at center forward due to French striker fitness after Euro 2016. The experiment surprisingly made Sanchez more dangerous because he becomes more flexible to score goals, make assist, create chance, and run between defenders as a false 9. Until PL GW 26, the former Barcelona man has scored 17 goals and created 8 assists, the highest number from the others. Unfortunately, during his on fire form this season, the club look to have high dependence to him. Sanchez is not supported by his teammates, who have problem with winning mentality in a big game. When Arsenal drew 3-3 against Bournemouth after left behind 3-1, Alexis’ gesture showed his disappointment fail to win, meanwhile his teammates were satisfied to the result. Another reaction is showed when Arsenal is humiliated by Bayern 1-5, he looked very frustrated to accept the defeat. Alexis might have his best form this season, but his team still have problem with their mentality at big game. If the situation does not change next season, he may leave the club, moreover his contract is until 2017, and yet to sign a new contract.

Turn to 6th rank on the table, there is Man United with their world class striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Old but gold, that is the suitable word to describe this player. He is 35 years old when he came to England, some people said he is too old to compete in Premier League. Zlatan breaks all negative comments about him and prove his ability with Man United. He has 15 goals in until GW 26 PL this season, in total he scored 26 goals in all competition. The newest one, he scored 2 goals, including one winning goal at EFL Cup final, to bring The Red Devils to be the champion. Similar to Sanchez, Ibracadabra is carrying his team this season, but the difference is the other Man United players (not all) and their manager have winning mentality to help Ibra. The only negative point of Ibra in Man United is the number of game Man United have at the rest of the season. The Red Devils still have to compete in the league, Europa League, and FA Cup. Mourinho must rotate Ibra for some match to keep his fitness at 35 y.o, it means Man Utd have to find another solution at center forward.

Last but not the least, Romelu Lukaku who scored 17 goals with Everton this season (until GW 26). The Belgian is big, strong, fast, and one of the most complete modern striker. The former Chelsea man becomes more mature since his arrival in England. This season, under new manager, Ronald Koeman, he is deadlier than before because the manager system support the striker more than previous manager’s system. In addition, he is in full confident right now. Because of Lukaku’s contribution, now The Toffees is in 7^th place. However, with 23 years old, he has similar problem with Harry Kane, his experience. But, if he continues this incredible form, then he go to bigger club, he can be world class striker in the future. 

	Diego Costa	Harry Kane	Sergio Aguero	Alexis Sanchez	Zlatan Ibrahimovic	Romelu Lukaku
Minute Play	2127	1805	1422	2146	2160	2187
Game Started	24	21	14	24	24	24
Goals	16	17	11	17	15	17
Assist	5	4	0	8	4	4
Shot	73	63	80	91	102	68
Shot on target	32	32	33	37	42	36
Yellow Card	5	1	3	5	5	3
Red Card	0	0	1	0	0	0
Goal/game started	0.67	0.81	0.79	0.71	0.63	0.71
Goal/Shot on target	0.50	0.53	0.33	0.46	0.36	0.47

The table shows all strikers’ impact to their club until PL GW 26. The one who has biggest contribution is Alexis Sanchez, with the highest number of goal and assist. With that number of statistic, if Sanchez leave the club, it will be a big loss for Arsenal. Meanwhile, the most effective one is Harry Kane, with the highest goal/game started and goal/shot on target. Yes, he is absolutely a future world class British striker, and with his game number every season, he can be more dangerous and more experience than this season. However, as we can see, each of them has big contribution to their own club. That’s why they deserve to be called most important striker in PL this season.