Arsenal’s transfer business has come under scrutiny more than once since Mikel Arteta took over as manager.
The Spaniard has been backed in every window and while some signings have been excellent, others have struggled or not looked value for money. Case and point at the moment, Kai Havertz.
Of course, players like Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale, as well as Gabriel Jesus, have more than been value for money and took the Gunners to new heights.
But speaking on TalkSPORT this morning, Arsenal legend David O’Leary has admitted his surprise at one piece of transfer business Arsenal did NOT do.
David O’Leary shocked at Arsenal’s summer transfer decision
Mikel Arteta opted to spend a big chunk of his budget on Chelsea’s Kai Havertz in the summer. That left little left to get a new striker.
And with Gabriel Jesus’s injury leaving Eddie Nketiah as the only number nine at the club, O’Leary admitted his surprise at no striker being signed.
“I was very surprised in the summer that they didn’t pump the money that they’d bought some of the other players on that. I thought the next one would have been that out and out centre-forward and I don’t know why that’s not happened. I think that’s, to me, if there’s ever going to be another big signing at the club it needs to be there,” O’Leary said.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
The Gunners have been linked with players like Ivan Toney and Dusan Vlahovic for a while but as yet, have failed to spend big on a world-class number nine.
Arsenal need to sign a striker like City did
Manchester City dominated without one but to take them to the next level, Pep Guardiola went out and got Erling Haaland. And we all saw what happened when he arrived last year!
Arsenal now need to try and do the same. Sure, they might not get a Haaland player in terms of quality and goals scored. But there are players out there who could help.
A player like Toney would be ideal, while others will be on the market in Europe and South America.
Arsenal are going along just nicely. But to keep pushing and get over the line, a striker will be needed and that’s got to be the next step for Mikel Arteta and Edu.