Pundit: Arsenal to become ‘out and out’ title favourites when they complete two ‘huge’ signings – ‘it’s no secret’
Arsenal will be ‘out and out’ favourites to win the Premier League title if they sign a striker and a left-back in the January transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson suggested that it was “no secret” that these two positions have been the Gunners’ key weaknesses this season.
As revealed by Football Insider (1 January), a centre-forward with a different profile than Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah is the top priority of Mikel Arteta’s side this January.
Sources also told Football Insider (5 January) that Arteta is keen to add a new left-back to their ranks this month after identifying this position as a key problem in the squad.
The Gunners have struggled in front of goal in recent games, with 74 attempted shots across their last four games in all competitions producing just two goals.
This recent lack of cutting edge has caused them to crash out of the FA Cup in the third round after their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday (7 January) and slip to fourth in the Premier League table.
Robinson is confident that shrewd recruitment in key areas will get the north London giants back on track.
“It’s well documented that Arsenal need a striker,” he told Football Insider.
“There’s no secret that they’re one fantastic striker away from being genuine title contenders.
“But the two areas that are stopping them being out and out favourites are striker and left-back.
“Their last two games against Liverpool and West Ham where they lost – they created so many chances without scoring enough.
“That’s their issue. It’s not a quick or easy fix.
“It’s glaringly obvious that Mikel Arteta is two players short – that’s the way they are.
“If you look at the midfield players they have, did they need to spend £65million on Kai Havertz?
“Would that money have been better spent elsewhere?
“These positions need to be their focus in January, it’s huge but they’re tough deals to do.”
In other news, Sources: Arsenal plan to sell 26-year-old this summer.