Which strikers are off to a hot start?

Player rankings returns by checking out the world's top goalscorers

This past weekend was the 9th, 10th or 11th league match for most clubs in Europe this season, and that can only mean one thing: It’s time for the triumphant return of the world-famous Adam’s Player Rankings™️.

Ok, I haven’t actually trademarked that name, because who in their right mind would use it, but we’re back nonetheless!

At roughly the quarter-pole for the 2023-2024 season, we don’t quite have the data necessary to provide a really in-depth report on each of these guys, but you can definitely start to see who’s doing what well, and perhaps get an idea of whose name will be doing the rounds as transfer season approaches.

Now, one thing about rankings: In the past I’ve focused solely on what I’d call positions of need for Arsenal. But back then, Arsenal had lots of those. While I’ll still focus on those positions, I’m not leaving any (save for CB/GK) behind this season. So just because I’m doing a piece doesn’t mean I think Arsenal should sign one of these guys!

That said, I am going to kick things off for the season with the position widely thought of as Arsenal’s next big move: striker.

The criteria for this ranking is a little convoluted, since I’m not sticking specifically to “up and comers.” However, this list is still guys you’d consider early prime/pre-prime, i.e. no older than about 26 or 27.

As usual, my disclaimers:

• This list is created relying fully on statistics from this season. It’s early! Expect this to change quite a bit from now to spring.

• Speaking of it being early, even lots of regular starters simply haven’t played enough minutes to be evaluated here. My normal minimum is 900 minutes, but for this week I took anyone with at least 500 in their league. That means no Gabriel Jesus or Folarin Balogun, among others.

• I always encourage a healthy dose of the eye test before forming a final opinion on any player, so consume responsibly.

• There is obviously a subjective element to any man-made formulaic ranking. But for the record, these rankings are based on performance across 17 statistics, each with different weight toward the final score.

• All scores are subject to an adjustment according to league strength, so you shouldn’t have to mentally raise or lower rankings to make it more “fair.”

Now, let’s get into it, shall we?