Thierry Henry has already given Mikel Arteta a good reason to sign Darwin Nunez this summer at Arsenal.
The Gunners are on the prowl for a new forward to bolster the front line, with time running out before deadline day.
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez has been linked to Arsenal, in what would represent a shock late swoop for the Premier League striker this week.
Arteta and Edu have until Friday night to lock the squad down until the January window, with Nunez appearing as a possible figure for the North Londoners to target.
What Thierry Henry likes about Arsenal target Darwin Nunez
Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica in 2022, paying £64m to steal the striker from Portugal after he netted 34 goals over the 2021/22 campaign.
Since arriving in England, things have been less prolific for the forward, who has scored 20 Premier League goals in 66 appearances for the Reds however, there’s a feeling that there’s so much more for the 25-year-old to offer.
Nunez runs on confidence like most strikers and when he’s at his best he’s difficult to contain, showing a smart approach in the final third.
The Uruguay international’s clever style of play has not gone unnoticed despite his lapses in form, as Thierry Henry once explained.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football’s analysis of Liverpool’s late win over Nottingham Forest, the former Arsenal striker identified what is impressive about Nunez.
“First and foremost, the one thing he [Nunez] does ever so well is that he goes back into an onside position straight away,” Henry explained as the Liverpool ace netted a late winner at the City Ground.
“He puts his body into a position of, ‘I am going to have an opportunity to score’. Because why? Mac Allister has told you he is going to cross the ball because he looked, it’s not telepathic, he looked while he was turning.”
Henry went on to praise Nunez’s positional knowledge and movement moments before scoring the decisive goal, where he made it his clear objective to score in a crowded box.
“He [Nunez] is attacking the ball. He’s the only one with Van Dijk who stays there the whole time, he is the only one.”
The Uruguayan was quick to spot the movements of the Forest defenders ahead of him when Alexis MacAllister lined up the cross, a decisive observation that won his side the game.
Nunez could be what Mikel Arteta needs this summer
When assessing the current options that Arsenal have in the number nine role, there is little encouragement regarding those who are capable of scoring frequently.
Kai Havertz has been in fine form however, the German is not identifiable as being the target man the squad is missing.
The same goes for Gabriel Jesus, who despite being a number nine by position, is not clinical and is unreliable when it comes to his fitness.
As Henry explained when analysing Nunez, the Uruguayan is a typical number nine, with an instinctual ability to get into the areas needed before the chance is even provided.
Given the creators that Arteta has at his disposal in North London, the Liverpool star wouldn’t be short of the opportunity to score, reinforcing why he would be a strong signing to make this week.
The manager must now take Henry’s verdict on board when assessing whether Nunez should be pushed for before deadline day, with the 25-year-old having the fundamentals required to bolster Arsenal’s front line.
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