Arsenal legend Robert Pires has made a bold suggestion to his former club, urging them to sign a “real striker” to bolster their attack and end their five-year trophy drought.
With the Gunners currently competing on multiple fronts, including a strong Premier League campaign, a Champions League spot, and a Carabao Cup semi-final, Pires believes a potent striker is crucial if they are to challenge for silverware. Arsenal’s attacking options, while talented, have been inconsistent this season, and Pires points to this as a key factor hindering their pursuit of major trophies.
Arsenal are currently in second place in the Premier League, trailing Liverpool by six points, but the Gunners have shown the capability to challenge for the title, having finished as runners-up in the last two seasons. Despite being in the hunt for silverware, Pires has highlighted that their attacking options fall short when compared to title contenders like Liverpool and Manchester City. The Gunners have struggled to find the clinical edge in front of goal, with makeshift striker Kai Havertz currently Arsenal’s top scorer, netting just eight goals in the league this season.
The former French international, who was part of Arsenal’s legendary Invincibles side, admits that today’s football is different from his playing days but still believes that the Gunners lack a true goal scorer to compete at the highest level. “Arsenal need a real striker,” Pires explained in an exclusive interview. “If they want to win games, they need what teams like Liverpool and Manchester City have: a clinical forward who can consistently deliver.” Pires compared the current Arsenal team with the one he played in, where the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Nwankwo Kanu made it easier to find the back of the net.
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Pires pointed to the current top scorers in the Premier League, including Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, both of whom have scored more than Arsenal’s leading forward, Havertz. This stark difference in attacking potency has led Pires to recommend a potential transfer target. When asked who Arsenal should sign to solve their striker dilemma, Pires didn’t hesitate in naming Victor Osimhen. The Napoli forward, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has been in scintillating form, scoring 12 goals in 15 Turkish Super Lig appearances and 16 goals in all competitions.
Osimhen, with his powerful presence and clinical finishing, is exactly the type of striker Pires believes would complement Arsenal’s attacking setup, including players like Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Ødegaard, Havertz, and Bukayo Saka. “He has a good profile to play for Arsenal,” Pires said. “But of course, I am just a fan, and I’m not the manager. If Arsenal could sign just one player, it would have to be Osimhen.” The Nigerian international’s form this season has been remarkable, and he could be the solution Arsenal need to push for major honors.
Pires made these comments during a PlayStation event in Paris, where he was joined by NBA legend Tony Parker and England goalkeeper Mary Earps. The event, which combined football and basketball, was a fitting backdrop for Pires to share his thoughts on football. While he has enjoyed basketball, Pires was clear about his passion for football and his enduring support for Arsenal. His suggestion of Osimhen is not just based on his own analysis but also his deep understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level, something he knows all too well from his time at Arsenal.
