Paul Merson has identified the one signing that he believes would make Arsenal Champions League winners.
The former Arsenal forward was speaking in the aftermath of the final defeat in Budapest, a night that further highlighted the lack of X-factor in Mikel Arteta’s attack.
Arsenal were organised, disciplined and resolute, but ultimately fell short against a PSG attack that needed just one moment.
Merson has pinpointed exactly what the Gunners are missing.
Now that you’ve all had time to reflect, why did Arsenal lose the Champions League final?
Speaking on The Sports Agents, he said, “They’re screaming out for a centre forward with pace. I think if they can get a centre forward with pace who’s electric, then I think they’ll dominate and I think they’ve got every chance at the Champions League next year.
“I just, without that centre forward, they’re just gonna — it’s still gonna be short in the Champions League when push comes to shove.”
A lot of Arsenal fans will share Merson’s view too, particularly after the final.
Viktor Gyokeres scored 21 goals over the course of the season, and despite his powerful and physical profile, he is technically quite limited.
It’s an issue out wide too. They don’t have enough pacy runners and it can leave them predictable in transition. This was especially evident against PSG.
And the contrast with PSG’s own forward line was stark. Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola and Doue all possess the kind of explosive, unpredictable pace that can unlock defences in moments.
Arsenal’s attack, for all its quality and organisation, does not currently have that profile.
Are Arsenal in the market for a centre forward?
Paul Merson’s description points squarely at Julian Alvarez, who is seemingly Arsenal’s primary attacking target despite Barcelona making early moves.
The Argentine is not quite a traditional number nine, but he is dynamic, mobile and capable of playing between the lines in a way that would give opposition defences an entirely different set of problems to solve.
Eli Junior Kroupi is another name that fits that same kind of profile, having broken the Premier League record for goals scored by a teenager in a debut season. His pace, instinct and directness are exactly the qualities Merson is describing.
Arsenal came within a penalty shootout of winning the Champions League. Add the centre forward Merson is calling for, and the distance between them and the trophy could be closed.
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