Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has rejected the idea that Arsenal’s No.1 priority for the summer transfer window is to bring in a new striker.
The Gunners are thought to be desperate to recruit a world-class forward at the end of the season, with Alexander Isak at the top of their wishlist.
Isak is likely to be deemed too expensive, though, with Newcastle having no whatsoever to sell and would only let him go for an astronomical fee.
Arsenal saw a bid rejected for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in January and could launch a fresh offer in the summer while a number of other forwards – including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko – have been linked.
The Gunners’ interest in a new forward has only increased with their attacking injury crisis this season, with a lack of options seeing Mikel Arteta’s men forced to use midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker.
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But football pundit Carragher believes Arsenal shouldn’t be prioritising a new striker in the summer and feels they instead need ‘creative players’.
‘Is [current Arsenal striker] Kai Havertz world class? Possibly not,’ Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show.
‘But I think he does a great job for that team. In terms of his all-round play, not just scoring goals.
‘Could they improve in that area? Maybe. But it’s not easy. When you think about some of the other big teams in the Premier League, where are the strikers?
‘Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez, he’s not good enough. Manchester United signed Rasmus Hojlund, he’s not good enough.
‘Nicolas Jackson is not good enough for Chelsea. There is lack of top-quality strikers around the world.
‘When Mikel Arteta is looking for this guy who is going to take them to the next level, it’s going to be very difficult to find someone who gives you these goals and [also] gives you what Havertz does in that position.
‘I actually think creating is a big problem [for Arsenal]… Forget bringing in a No.9, the first thing they might have to do is sign more creative players.’
Meanwhile, Carragher has made a prediction over where Arsenal may finish in the Premier League table this season, with their 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Sunday all-but ending their top-flight title hopes.
‘I expect them to finish comfortably second… maybe… maybe not,’ Carragher added. ‘It feels like the Champions League positions are something we are going to be keeping an eye on until the end of the season.
‘I think Arsenal will be looking over their shoulder more than looking at Liverpool in front of them.
‘[Arsenal’s title hopes] are over. There was a glimmer of hope before the weekend, the fact Arsenal could still go to Anfield and try to beat Liverpool, but I think that [draw with United] was the final confirmation.
‘I expect Arsenal to drop more points from now until the end of the season.’
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