Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has emplored Mikel Arteta to sign a new striker before the January transfer window closes.
Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka have further reduced the Gunners’ attacking options and a lack of firepower is undermining the north London club’s title aspirations.
Arsenal were held to a damaging draw by Aston Villa last weekend where, with the clock running down, Arteta had only Raheem Sterling to turn to on the bench.
Ethan Nwaneri is primed to return against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League this evening but it is asking too much for a teenager to shoulder the burden.
The Gunners have been linked with a number of forwards over the course of the last fortnight but it does not appears as if they are close to making any new additions.
Although it would come at a significant cost, Winterburn believes the club’s board need to push the boat out in order to help Arsenal fulfil their ambitions this season.
‘Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked with Arsenal, as have the likes of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic,’ Winterburn told William Hill Vegas.
‘If you could guarantee Mikel Arteta that one of them can offer 20 to 25 goals a season, that would be great — but no one can guarantee that!
‘The Gunners need a striker to take them to the next level, and that is to win the Premier League. I would take any of those strikers — it doesn’t matter which one. What matters is who scores the most goals for this team and is the best fit.
‘Each option comes with its own attributes, but the priority is finding the one who can deliver goals consistently to fire Arsenal to the title. Addressing this issue in the squad could drive Arsenal to a league title.’
Although they are currently lagging behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, Winterburn believes Arsenal should still be prioritising that competition ahead of the Champions League.
‘People often compare winning the Premier League to winning the Champions League, and I can’t help but laugh — it’s not a straightforward choice!’ Winterburn added.
‘Life doesn’t give you options like that, as Arsenal have learned in recent seasons with the Premier League. One small slip-up, and another team can snatch the silverware right out of your hands.
“Arsenal have come close twice recently, but they’ve fallen just short each time.
‘Personally, I’d love to see them win the Premier League because, since moving to the Emirates, they’ve been miles away from it.
‘That said, I have friends who are die-hard Arsenal fans, and they’ll tell you they’d rather see the team lift the Champions League trophy.
‘Ultimately, it depends on who you ask. For me, though, it’s the Premier League — it shows how a team progresses and performs consistently over the course of an entire season, which is the ultimate test of quality and resilience.’
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