Ian Wright's 'guarantee' could save Arsenal millions this summer

Stuart Telford

• 1 Apr 2023 10:58 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Ian Wright doesn't think the club need to spend big on a striker this summer with Folarin Balogun tearing up Ligue 1 on loan with Reims this season.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League, eight points clear of Manchester City, and closing on a first title since their 'Invincibles' season under Arsene Wenger in 2004.

But their top scorers this term have been wingers, with Gabriel Martinelli bagging 13 goals and Bukayo Saka 12. Accordingly, a goalscoring No.9 is a priority in the next transfer window.

READ: The FIVE strikers on Arsenal's summer transfer shortlist

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Dusan Vlahovic among others, the Juventus striker who nearly joined the Gunners from Fiorentina the January before last, but the Old Lady would likely demand north of €60 million for him, despite their recent legal and financial troubles.

But the Gunners already have a goalscorer on the books in Balogun, who has hit 17 goals in 27 games on loan at Will Still's Reims.

Is Ian Wright right about Balogun?

Wright, who knows a thing or two about scoring having struck 156 times for the Gunners between 1991 and 1998, thinks Balogun should be given his chance at the Emirates.

READ: Balogun sparks social media meltdown with Instagram post

"Hopefully he can come back to Arsenal at some stage and prove himself," he said on Wrighty's House podcast. "He's gone to another level in confidence. I think anywhere he goes in res[ect of leagues, he'll do what he's doing with the right service.

"It's the way he's taking those chances. His head space is at a different place right now. He knows he can do it right now. I guarantee you if he comes back, he probably picks up from what he's doing in that league."

Balogun is rated at €14.9 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, but that value will skyrocket if Wright is proved right.