Arsenal have been heavily reliant on Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz plus set-pieces for goals this season, so Clinton Morrison thinks a striker signing would ‘improve’ them.
Morrison has even identified two Premier League strikers who would be ‘fantastic’ for Mikel Arteta as they can deliver the Arsenal manager an ideal centre-forward for how the Gunners attack. Even though he admits that some Arsenal fans may doubt their need to sign a striker.
The form that Havertz has offered at Emirates Stadium since moving from Arsenal’s midfield into a false-nine role at the start of this year has often given Arteta a solution. But when the German is not scoring again, his Spanish boss has not been able to rely on Gabriel Jesus to.
Clinton Morrison backs Alexander Isak or Ollie Watkins for a transfer to Arsenal
Jesus has been fit for most of the season, so far, after frequent issues with his lingering knee injury last term. But Arteta still does not have the same Jesus who transformed Arsenal after leaving Manchester City in 2022 since he suffered the initial injury at the World Cup in Qatar.
So, Morrison feels Arsenal should explore the transfer of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak or Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins. He believes the two elite Premier League stars can ‘improve’ Arteta’s team given how Arsenal like to play and what Isak or Watkins can deliver.
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Morrison said on Sky Sports News (14/12, 12:38): “Newcastle fans will shout at me but Isak in that team or Watkins, Villa fans will shout, would be fantastic for Arsenal the way they want to press and they’re always on the front foot and they can stretch in behind.
“When you have a centre-forward who stretches in behind, that frees up space for Odegaard. But, at the moment, Arsenal fans will say it’s working for them. So, do they need a number nine? I’m saying about strikers who I think would help and improve them.”
Newcastle United could price Arsenal out of a transfer for Alexander Isak
Isak endured a slow start to the 2024/25 Premier League season with only one goal over his first six appearances. But Newcastle have relished a revived version of the 25-year-old since the October international break, to not only see Morrison tout Isak for a transfer to Arsenal.
The Swede has long been a target for Arteta even before his move to St James’ Park. But the fee it would now take to lure him away from Tyneside could be an issue, with David Ornstein reporting that Newcastle could price Arsenal out of Isak’s transfer as they strive to keep him.
With Chelsea also interested in the Arsenal target, Newcastle are demanding £115m for Isak ahead of the January transfer window. So, the Gunners may have to prioritise a move for the other striker Morrison endorses in Watkins, who Declan Rice is a fan of with what he brings.
Watkins has been a consistent leading figure in Aston Villa’s attack this season and when the 28-year-old is contributing goals, Unai Emery often gets the rewards. The Torquay-born ace has also started to establish himself as a key attacking threat with England in recent months.
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