Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is too scared of signing a genuine No.9 according to former Premier League star and now pundit Troy Deeney.
The Gunners are getting pelters right now after failing to acquire a new hitman during the January transfer window. This after Kai Havertz added to their glut of forward injuries by being ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
The German going down during the winter training camp in Dubai put that January failure into sharp focus – despite their reported bid to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Deeney though believes that interest in Watkins was just a PR stunt to appease supporters.
Watkins interest ‘a PR stunt’ claims Deeney
“I know there was a £60 million bid for Ollie Watkins in January but for me that just felt like a PR stunt. Watkins was never going to leave Aston Villa in mid-season,” Deeney told The Sun.
“It meant Arsenal could tell their fans: ‘At least we tried’. It didn’t feel as if the club tried too hard.”
READ MORE: Arsenal contact 23-goal MONSTER as Arteta reacts to Havertz disaster
Arteta said again on Friday that he felt the Gunners did everything possible during the transfer window to bring in a new forward.
Now all attention turns to the summer window – with the likes of Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Newcastle’s brilliant Alexander Isak now linked with moves to the Emirates.
Deeney though believes fans should next expect a move for a player like Isak, for one shocking reason.
Isak to Arsenal – could it happen?
“Mikel Arteta is frightened of signing a genuine No.9 like Isak,” he claimed.
“True centre-forwards always have that element of selfishness, of single-mindedness.
“They are often mavericks, they can often be disruptive, they usually have minds of their own and they live for scoring goals.
“I believe Arteta is so wrapped up in his team ethos that he shies away from signing such players.”
The Gunners had to employ Leandro Trossard up front in Saturday’s trip to Leicester, and they needed two late goals from Mikel Merino to claim a priceless 2-0 win. That took them to within four points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
As well as Havertz, they are without Gabriel Jesus for the season with an ACL injury while Gabriel Martinelli is another player with a long-term hamstring issue. Bukayo Saka is also making recovery from a serious hamstring injury.
READ MORE: Arsenal in touch with ‘DREAM’ Kai Havertz replacement