Arsenal fell to their first defeat of the season against Newcastle yesterday, and looked toothless in attack as they registered just one shot on target.
Eddie Nketiah led the line in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, but after an impressive performance in which he scored a hattrick last week, he struggled to make an impact at St James’ Park.
Arsenal have been linked with Ivan Toney, as well as Santiago Gimenez, with it perhaps indicated that Mikel Arteta wants a striker in January, and they have now been told by pundit Gary Neville that another centre-forward can help them win the Premier League.
Neville highlights Arsenal’s striker issue
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Neville claimed that whilst both Gabriel Jesus and Nketiah are two strong options, having another option ahead of them could be the difference in the title race for Arsenal.
“I’ve said this after a few Arsenal games this season, where I felt as though I’m watching Jesus at centre-forward, I’m watching Nketiah at centre-forward, they’re both very good, but I’d like them to be my number two and three strikers,” he stated.
“I’d really love them to be my number two and three strikers, and they might even end up playing wide, off the left in certain games or off the right, both of them I think could do that role, but if they had a number nine, a top number nine and they’ve had some real top number nines in the last 20, 30 years Arsenal, I think they could go on and win the title.
“I think I nominated them to win the title and predicted them to win the title, but when I look at them now, the more in big games I see them, I just feel like they’re lacking something up top, and to be fair I think Mikel Arteta knows that.
“I think he loves them both, he should do. Arsenal fans, this is not a criticism of the two lads they’ve got because I think they can be really important players for Arsenal, but I feel like they should be part of the overall 20-man squad, and that they should contribute to play 25, 30 matches a season, and I still think he needs something more in up top in those big matches that just get you over the line.”
Arsenal’s January transfer issues
After a summer window of heavy spending, Arsenal may struggle to sign a big-money player in the January window, and the strikers they have been linked with will not come cheaply.
David Raya’s deal to join was structured as an initial loan to help Arsenal comply with financial fair play, so unless there are major sales, they may not be able to afford a huge deal to sign someone like Toney.
Arsenal’s issues may stem more in chance creation than finishing, and a different striker may not solve these issues. There are problems in midfield, with the absence of Granit Xhaka noticeable, and the Gunners rank low for chances created compared to other Premier League teams.
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