Ornstein reveals Arsenal’s next big signing to replace player dubbed a weak link
Robin Bairner
- 3 Nov 2023 06:40 GMT
- 4 min read
David Ornstein has revealed the position that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta next intends to strengthen in the transfer market.
According to the journalist from The Athletic, the next “significant recruit” added to the Arsenal squad will be a centre-forward, potentially putting Eddie Nketiah’s spot in the squad at risk.
Although the 24-year-old has scored five Premier League goals in 10 appearances this season, including a weekend hat-trick against Sheffield United in a 5-0 win, Ornstein has revealed that Arteta is lining up a striker.
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Asked in a Q&A if he felt Arsenal might seek to add another midfield player to their ranks in order to potentially replace Kai Havertz, he replied: “No. Havertz needs time and has Arsenal’s full support.
“When they next make a significant recruit, I reckon that will be a striker, but it will depend on all the normal factors like money, availability, existing options, injuries and more.”
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But the No.9 that Arsenal fans may be dreaming of is unlikely to sign in January, although Ornstein added that the plan could change.
“There was no plan to sign a striker last summer and I suspect in an ideal world for Arsenal that would have been the stance for January, too, with the focus being on next summer,” continued Ornstein.
“Let’s see if that changes, but I don’t know of it doing so yet.”
Arsenal have been linked with Brentford striker Ivan Toney and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko has potential additions in attack.
Nketiah the weak link in title push?
Nketiah has been picked out as the squad’s weak link by club legend Ray Parlour, who says that Mikel Arteta’s title hopes would be significantly enhanced by chasing another centre forward during the January transfer window.
“Eddie Nketiah has done really well for Arsenal, especially with that hat-trick against Sheffield United but Arsenal definitely need another striker,” Parlour said, via The Mirror.
Arsenal definitely need another striker
- Ray Parlour“That’s nothing against Eddie, he’s been brilliant and has done a great job for Arsenal and I was really pleased for him to get that hat-trick, but Arsenal need more options. They haven’t got that right now and with Gabriel Jesus out injured that leaves them light in that department as well.
“It’s an area Mikel Arteta and Edu will be looking at. Whether the right player will be available in January we’ll have to see. I know Ivan Toney has been mentioned as an option given he’ll be able to play again by then, but he won’t have played for a while and it will take him five or so games to get back into the rhythm of playing every week, so it’s not that simple.
“If Arsenal do bring someone in in January, Eddie will still be there, he’ll still play a massive part, as much as Jesus, but if you’ve got another option then that could make all the difference to Arsenal’s title challenge.
“We all know scoring goals wins you games so that’s why Arsenal will want to look into that in January if things are not going too well up front.”
Arsenal face Newcastle on Saturday in a crunch Premier League encounter before hosting Sevilla in the Champions League on Wednesday and Burnley on 11 November.
