- 18 hours ago
Arsenal 'can't win league without another striker'
Stuart Telford
- 15 Oct 2023 07:41 CDT
- 3 min read
Arsenal may be second in the Premier League over the second international break, but they are unlikely to go all the way without another striker according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville.
Arsenal are only second behind North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur by virtue of having scored two goals less, with both teams on 20 points.
The Gunners have held Spurs and beaten champions Manchester City in recent weeks, but like last season their top scorers are wingers and midfielders, with Bukayo Saka on four league goals and Martin Odegaard on three.
READ: Arsenal captain Odegaard: 'Real Madrid the biggest club in the world'
Kai Havertz, a nominal No.9, was signed from Chelsea for €75 million in the summer, but his only competitive goal has been a penalty against Bournemouth, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus increasingly preferred in attack.
But neither player convinces Neville.
⚽0.56 xG per match (5th-best in the league)
💨7 dribbles per match (2nd)
🅰️0.43 assists per match (3rd)
👀0.5 xA per match (3rd)
Gabriel Jesus returns to Arsenal's bench today, and he's a real difference maker ✨ pic.twitter.com/QCo4GX2OfN— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) March 12, 2023
Neville: 'my only doubt'
"There's no doubt Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus work their absolute socks off, but in quality terms, is that going to be enough to win Arsenal the league?" the eight-time Premier League winner said on Sky Sports.
"That's my only doubt because if they had a centre-forward, like an Erling Haaland, if they had a Harry Kane - I'd be saying it's Arsenal [to win the Premier League] if they can keep William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice fit.
READ: Transfer was 'out of my hands' claims ex-Arsenal striker
"Honestly, I worry about Nketiah and Jesus. They're erratic. They're not wired to score goals naturally. Instinctively they don't make the runs that you see goalscorers make… I just question, at that level, can they win the league without another striker?"
Folarin Balogun might feel hard done by after his 21-goal season on loan with Reims last season, but the USMNT striker has since been allowed to return to French football with a €30m transfer to Monaco.
Arsenal have since been linked with Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen and Tammy Abraham, but a naturel No.9 is yet to arrive at the club.
