Emmanuel Petit has told Arsenal they need a new striker, winger, and midfielder to end Manchester City’s stranglehold on the Premier League title. The Gunners icon feels a new center-forward is required despite Kai Havertz coming into form as a false 9 at the Emirates.
Havertz has made a promising start to the season with one goal and one assist in two games. He came to the fore in the 2023-24 season and looks to have taken on the main forward’s role amid a fine adaption to life with the north Londoners following a move from Chelsea last summer.
However, the Germany international isn’t the prolific goalscorer many expected Arsenal to target this summer. They have yet and are unlikely to sign a striker with a proven goalscoring resume this summer. Names such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, and Brentford’s Ivan Toney were mentioned, but none were pursued.
Petit thinks his former club needs a new No.9 to take them to trophy success despite Havertz’s recent upturn in form. He told Safest Casino Sites:
“Arsenal still need another striker. Despite Kai Havertz’s great start against Wolves, he can play alongside another goal threat. He’s so happy in the team, the environment has helped him massively and he’s playing with a lot of friends. Despite that, Arsenal need to win trophies this season, they need to buy a striker to take them there.”
Manchester City strengthened this summer with the signing of Savinho from Girona. The Brazilian winger has made an immediate impact at the Etihad with excellent performances. He joins an already frightening attack that boasts Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden.
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Petit highlighted City’s strength in depth and why the north London giants might need to strengthen further than a new striker:
“Arsenal need to add more players in the squad to win the Premier League and Manchester City are still the standard they have to reach. They’ve added Savinho, who looks brilliant and is still the team to beat. I think this year will be the one for Arsenal, they’ve continuously improved for years and on the current trajectory, the gap between Arsenal and Manchester City will be barely anything. Arsenal need a winger, striker and midfielder to boost their chances of winning the league.”
“We have different qualities” – Mikel Arteta suggested Arsenal won’t be looking to sign a new striker
Arsenal headed into the 2024-25 campaign with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Leandro Trossard as their main forward options. Nketiah is looking increasingly likely to leave before the transfer window closes on August 31 which means Mikel Arteta will have three options but this seemingly doesn’t worry him.
Arteta spoke about the striker’s situation after watching his side beat Wolves 2-0 in their season opener. He told talkSPORT:
“I have faith in [Havertz], we have faith in [Gabriel Jesus], Leandro [Trossard] has played in that position. So we have different qualities in there, and the best thing we can do is trust our players and try to improve them. They are so good and so willing and that’s what we focus on.”
Jesus missed Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in their second league game due to a groin injury. The Brazilian forward has encountered fitness issues over recent years which many expected the club to rectify with a new attacking signing this summer. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori arrived from Bologna, and Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino is on the brink of joining.
The Gunners are next in action on Saturday when they face Brighton & Hove Albion and it will be interesting to see si Jesus is available. Nketiah may have exited the club with a move to Crystal Palace looking a real possibility ahead of deadline day.