Former Premier League striker Gary Lineker has said that Arsenal haven’t signed a striker because there aren’t many available.
The Gunners dropped points for the third Premier League game in a row, as they drew 1-1 against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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Mikel Arteta‘s side went 1-0 down after Bruno Fernandes scored a free kick at the end of the first half. They were saved by a Declan Rice goal that went in after 74 minutes. The game finished 1-1 and Arsenal are now 15 points behind Liverpool in the table.
After the game, Gary Lineker was quick to point out that Arsenal are “struggling up top”, but also explained why they have failed to find a striker in the transfer market.
He said on the Rest is Football Podcast: “What’s happened to number nines, there’s so few of them. Most teams play with three forwards, one on either side, they’re not quite wingers. The best players tend to play in that position.
“Going back 10, well, 20 years or so. I mean, there was even just in this country, there were a plethora of them. But I think that might be the reason for it.
“Even if you just go back to Alan’s [Shearer] era for England, for example, you know, Fowler Sheringham, Shearer, Ian Wright, Ferdinand, I mean, really, really good players in that area. I just think it’s a slight change in in youngsters, the really talented ones always wanted to be the nine, but I just think now they want to be the one on either side.”
Arsenal don’t have any fit strikers at the moment with Gabriel Jesus technically the only striker in their squad. It has been a topic of conversation all season long, and the Gunners are set to spend big on one in the summer.
Which striker could Arsenal buy in the summer?
Arsenal’s priority target remains to be Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who is expected to command a fee of over £100 million. Plus, the Magpies have said that they would only be willing to sell him should they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The Gunners have also been linked with signing RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who does play as a traditional number nine. However, he is just 21 and relatively unproven outside the Bundesliga, so could be more of a risk.
Sesko is expected to cost £66 million as he has a release clause that will become active during the summer transfer window.
Click here to see Arsenal’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season.