Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly exits ‘not good for Arsenal’ as Sane and striker expected
Paul Merson expects Arsenal to win the Premier League title with ease next season if they complete a pair of crucial deals, but has issued a major warning about losing new young stars.
The former Gunners ace is adamant a new centre-forward is needed at the Emirates Stadium, and that the club should also take advantage of Leroy Sane‘s expiring contract at Bayern Munich.
It looks as though Mikel Arteta‘s side will again miss out on the Premier League trophy this season, as they sit second, 12 points behind Liverpool with nine games of the campaign still to be played.
However there is a belief that Arsenal will not need to make too many additions in the summer transfer window if they are to go one better in the 2025/26 campaign.
Arsenal sent Leroy Sane transfer message ahead of summer window
The January transfer window came and went with the Gunners failing to make any senior signings, after Arsenal failed with a bid to sign Aston Villa centre-forward Ollie Watkins.
It would prove costly for Mikel Arteta when top scorer Kai Havertz saw his season ended by injury just weeks later.
That absence of an attacking outlet has meant they have failed to take chances in games they failed to win, allowing Liverpool to open the gap at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Arsenal are interested in Sane with the winger’s contract at Bayern Munich due to expire at the end of this season.
| Leroy Sane key stats for Bayern Munich in 2024/25 | Total (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
| Minutes Played | 1,737 |
Now, Merson believes that signing the German international, while bringing in a centre-forward, would put the North London in a strong position to win the Premier League in the coming campaign.
But with the injury crisis this season having helped bring through homegrown sensations Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly he is equally concerned that too much senior recruitment could lead to forced sales for profit-heavy talents such as them.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (2:07pm, 29 March) about where the Gunners will need to strengthen in the summer transfer window, the former England international said: “They’ll need a centre-forward.
“They have to get a centre-forward. If they don’t get a centre-forward I don’t see them winning the league next season.
“If they get a centre-forward I see them winning it quite comfortably. I think from the goalie to the midfield, the back four and the goalkeeper I think are as good as any, they just need that goalscorer.
“You get Saka [back], if you can get Sane he’s gonna be on a free so he’s gonna cost nothing, and then you go and get a centre-forward.
“But you don’t want it to get to a stage where they keep on bringing players in and as soon as you spend too much then you’ve got to start selling your [Ethan] Nwaneris and your [Myles] Lewis-Skellys, that’s not good for Arsenal.”
Mikel Arteta will want to be backed this summer
Football Insider Verdict
It is clear that this Arsenal team have a lot of what is needed to go on and win a Premier League title, but the absence of a centre-forward remains a major issue.
Had they been able to call upon someone who can consistently and reliably take chances in that position this season, the title race would surely be a lot closer at the very least.
There would therefore be major question to be asked about the ambitions of the club if they do not go out and sign a striker in the summer.
Bringing in Sane would also offer an extra attacking outlet from another area, with a player whose experience of winning trophies would also be extremely helpful.
The fact he is available on a free transfer also ensures more funds are in the budget for Arsenal to invest in a centre-forward, or another position.
As a result signing a centre-forward and Sane would surely leave Arteta confident he can end his side’s wait for to lift the Premier League title again next season.