Gary Neville is starting to change his mind about Arsenal’s title hopes this season because of their striking situation.
Arsenal may not have enough in the final third in order to win the Premier League title this season.
That is the view of pundit Gary Neville, who has admitted that his opinion on Arsenal’s title hopes is changing a little.
Arsenal lost 1-0 at Newcastle United on Saturday evening as Anthony Gordon’s goal proved to be the winner.
The goal came in controversial circumstances but Arsenal just didn’t do enough going forward to take anything out of the game.
Gary Neville concerned about Arsenal attack
Arsenal did manage 14 shots but only one on target, serving up a fairly toothless display at St James’ Park.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were kept relatively quiet whilst Eddie Nketiah couldn’t replicate his hat-trick heroics form the Sheffield United clash.
Gabriel Jesus is out, Leandro Trossard didn’t make a big impact and Kai Havertz has yet to really impress since joining from Chelsea.
That all leaves Gary Neville concerned about Arsenal’s attack and, as a result, their Premier League title hopes.
Neville told Sky Sports that, whilst he predicted Arsenal to win the Premier League title, he is now starting to change his mind.
Neville has watched more and more of Arsenal and now feels that they are ‘lacking something’ in attack.
The pundit believes that Arsenal simply have to sign another striker, believing Jesus and Nketiah would be better as second and third-choice strikers.
“In the games I have watched Arsenal this season, centre-forward has been a problem,” said Neville. “Arsenal have to do some business in January – they are ending the game with (Leandro) Trossard in attack.” I’ve said this after a few Arsenal games this season – Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah at centre-forward are both very good, but I’d like them to be my No 2 and No 3 strikers. I’d really love them to be my No 2 and No 3 strikers and they might even end up playing wide and off the left in certain games or off the right because both of them can do that role.”
“But if Arsenal had a top No 9 and they’ve had some really top No 9s in the last 20 or 30 years, then I think they could go on to win the title. I’ve predicted them to win the title but when I look at them now in big games, I feel they’re lacking something up top.
“To be fair, I think Mikel Arteta knows that. He loves them both and he should do, Arsenal fans should do. This is not a criticism of the two lads they’ve got because I think they can be really important players for Arsenal, but I feel like they should be part of the 20-man squad. They could still contribute in 25-30 matches a season, but I feel you need something more in those top matches that just get you over the line. Erling Haaland does get Man City over the line quite a bit and I think that’s what the difference could be in the end. So for me, that’s a big thing,” he added.
Arsenal have been linked with big striker signing
Mikel Arteta may well agree with Neville and the Gunners could splash the cash on a new striker come January.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with Arsenal of late, with Fabrizio Romano stating in September that the Gunners have already made contact over a deal.
Toney is currently serving a suspension for gambling breaches but will be back in January and Arsenal could make a move.
Another rumour emerged from Calciomercato just a few days ago, as they suggested that Arsenal are keen on landing RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenian is a big talent but is still very raw, potentially not yet at the level to win Arsenal the title.
That is something for Arsenal to consider; somebody who can make an instant impact like Toney, or the long game with Sesko.
The post 'I look at them now…': Gary Neville is starting to change his mind on Arsenal's title hopes appeared first on HITC.
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