Jamie Carragher hands Mikel Arteta brutal reality check over Arsenal transfer plans
Arsenal are expected to try and sign a new striker in the summer after coming up short in the title race again but Jamie Carragher thinks they should have other priorities
Jamie Carragher has warned that Arsenal that a new striker should NOT be their priority this summer - because they need to sign more creative players.
The Gunners look set to come up short in the title race for a third consecutive year after falling 15 points behind Liverpool and many people believe their refusal to sign a top striker is to blame for their latest Premier League blank.
Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy are set to target an elite No.9 in what is expected to be a significant summer transfer window ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
But Carragher reckons more creativity, rather than an out-and-out goalscorer, is what Arsenal really need if they are to claim their first domestic title in more than 20 years - even if he does accept Kai Havertz is 'not a world-class striker'.
READ MORE: Arsenal icon explains why he DOESN'T want Ethan Nwaneri to get England call-upREAD MORE: Mikel Arteta's 'anger and shame' as body language expert gives verdict on awkward interview"Is Kai Havertz world class? Possibly not. But I think he does a great job for that team. In terms of his all-round play, not just scoring goals," Carragher told Sky Sports. "Could they improve in that area? Maybe. But it’s not easy. When you think about some of the other big teams in the Premier League, where are the strikers?
"Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez, he’s not good enough. Manchester United signed Rasmus Hojlund, he’s not good enough. Nicolas Jackson is not good enough for Chelsea. There is lack of top-quality strikers around the world.
"When Mikel Arteta is looking for this guy who is going to take them to the next level, it’s going to be very difficult to find someone who gives you these goals and [also] gives you what Havertz does in that position.
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"I actually think creating is a big problem [for Arsenal]… Forget bringing in a No.9, the first thing they might have to do is sign more creative players."
The Gunners have already been linked with a host of big names, some of whom were touted as potential targets in January.
RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko was the club's top target last summer before signing a new contract with his current club and remains on Arsenal's wishlist. The club are also admirers of Alexander Isak, who is also interesting Liverpool.
Newcastle remain adamant that they want to hang on to their star striker, though, and are planning to hold contract talks with the Swede at the end of the season.
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