Almost every Arsenal fan on the planet is urging Mikel Arteta to sign a new striker.
The Gunners have lost Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to injuries. The latter is expected to be out for the remainder of this season and may not be back until the end of this year.
That has left Arsenal short of options in attack, which is why every Gooner is praying for a new prolific goalscorer before the window shuts.
However, Paul Merson has another suggestion for Arteta and the recruitment team at Arsenal.
Paul Merson explains why Arsenal should sign Matheus Cunha instead of a new striker
Matheus Cunha is a target for Arsenal in this transfer window.
The Brazilian is Wolves’ best player. He has been fantastic for them since joining them on a permanent deal for £44 million in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal really like Cunha and would love to sign him, but many fans feel that an out-and-out striker who will guarantee goals must be the priority.
However, Merson thinks that Cunha is the more complete package for now. So, he has urged Arsenal to snub their plans of signing a new striker in this window and get the Wolves star instead.
He said on Sky Sports: “Buying a centre-forward in January, you’re buying someone here for the next five years, you’re not buying someone for the next six months. It’s going to be for the next four or five years. I don’t think that fits.
“I’d buy Cunha, I’d go and get Cunha because I see that as an all-round package, you know, where he can play there for the next five years. I feel they have to wait for the centre-forward, don’t rush into that!”
Merson then explained how Liverpool will go nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table if they win their game in hand. So, he feels that buying a striker now and paying more than the required money on transfer fees and wages makes no sense because Arsenal will not win the title.
The former Gunner has claimed that Arsenal should just hold off on a new striker until the summer and sign Cunha now instead.
“I would go and get Cunha, I think Cunha suits Arsenal,” Merson added. “He has that guile about him, he’s good in tight spaces, he can beat players.”
The one reason why Arsenal should not listen to Merson
Merson is right to suggest that Arsenal should sign Cunha – we completely agree with him.
The Wolves star can play anywhere in attack and also in midfield, and he would give Arteta plenty of options in the coming months if the Gunners sign him.
But, the one thing we don’t agree with Merson is his suggestion that Arsenal should wait until the summer window before they sign a new striker.
The pundit feels the title race is over, but we disagree.
Liverpool still have away games in the Premier League against the likes of Bournemouth, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton, while they also still have to face Arsenal.
There’s every chance they will drop points in a few of those games and if they do, Arsenal have to be ready to capitalise.
A prolific striker will make a serious difference, so we think Arsenal should go and get someone like Benjamin Sesko before the window shuts.
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