Why Arsenal Need a Top Striker to Make Premier League Title Charge

Arsenal’s need for a prolific striker has become a glaring issue in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, their lack of a clinical finisher is hindering their ability to convert draws into victories and keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.

The Gunners’ current struggles are reminiscent of Manchester United’s past, where the addition of impactful strikers like Eric Cantona and Robin van Persie transformed the team into champions. Arsenal, who finished as runners-up in the previous two seasons, are experiencing a similar frustration, with their lack of a reliable goal scorer potentially costing them another title challenge.

While Manchester City’s dominance in recent years, fueled by Erling Haaland’s goalscoring prowess, might have overshadowed Arsenal’s need for a top striker, the current season presents a different scenario. With City faltering, Liverpool have seized the opportunity, thanks in no small part to Mohamed Salah’s prolific form.

Arsenal’s leading scorer in the league this season is Kai Havertz, with just seven goals, a stark contrast to Salah’s 15. This lack of cutting edge has been evident in their draws against Brighton, Fulham, and Everton, as well as their failures to beat City and Liverpool. Had Arsenal possessed a proven goal scorer, those results could have been vastly different.

Finding a modern-day Van Persie or Cantona is a challenging task, but Arsenal’s reluctance to address this issue in the summer transfer window is now proving costly. Manager Mikel Arteta’s insistence on specific qualities and character may have led to missed opportunities to acquire potential targets like Ivan Toney, Benjamin Sesko, or Viktor Gyökeres.

The current state of the striker market further complicates matters. Most prolific goal scorers are already at elite clubs, leaving Arsenal with limited options and potential gambles. Players like Gyökeres and Samu Omorodion have impressed in the Portuguese league, but their ability to replicate that form in the Premier League remains uncertain.

Arsenal’s decision to rely on Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and loan signing Raheem Sterling has not yielded the desired results. With Saka and Sterling now facing weeks on the sidelines due to injuries, the need for a top-class striker has become even more urgent.

Despite the challenges, Arsenal must act decisively in the January transfer window to address this glaring weakness. Their failure to do so could see them fall further behind in the title race and prolong their wait for a Premier League crown.