Mikel Arteta's four-man transfer wishlist as Arsenal desperately bid to solve 'huge error'
Mikel Arteta's need for a new centre-forward has become more urgent than ever and while Benjamin Sesko remains Arsenal's first choice they will be looking at some other alternatives
by Alan Smith · The MirrorAnother week, another spotlight shone on Arsenal’s struggles without a centre forward.
Alan Shearer is the latest to point out Mikel Arteta’s biggest problem by suggesting that clubs the Gunners approach will now be looking to ask for a premium price because of their "huge error" not to strengthen already.
Gary Neville, meanwhile, reckons the club are regretting their decision to loan in ineffective Raheem Sterling last summer because it also limited their ability to do business in January.
Injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have hamped Arsenal ’s title bid this season. But at the end of this season renewed attempts will be made to strengthen their most obvious weakness – and there are four players who will garner plenty of interest.
Benjamin Sesko remains the top target, with the RB Leipzig goalscorer available for about £55m and understood to be eager on a switch to the Premier League. The German club are unlikely to put up too much resistance once their asking price is met.
Alexander Isak is perhaps the next best and certainly the most coveted of players already with Premier League experience.
But his situation at Newcastle United may well be dependent on where Eddie Howe’s team finish this season and if the secure a Champions League return then there appears no chance of him departing St James’ Park.
Even then the Toon insist they will be under no pressure to sell even if they fall short of a top five finish but that would no doubt be tested by a host of suitors.
Viktor Gyokeres is admired too but his existing relationship with Ruben Amorim means he appears more likely to end up at Manchester United. The need for a goalscorer at Old Trafford is even more pressing and the Sweden international is their first pick.
Then there is Ollie Watkins , whom Arsenal bid for in the final days of the winter transfer window only for Aston Villa to say no chance.
It remains to be seen whether the Gunners would return with another offer for the England striker in the summer because Villa were offended by the bid. Watkins, meanwhile, turns 30 later this year and the club would rather a younger option.
Shearer, meanwhile, reckons whoever Arsenal go for the selling club will be demanding a premium fee because they know that Arteta’s need has become desperate.
"Is Mikel Arteta under a bit of pressure now? Name me a Premier League manager not under pressure! But you have to say so with what Arsenal have spent and how close they have gone in title races," Shearer told Betfair .
"There's no doubt that he's a very talented manager and I don't think that he's under any pressure between now and the end of the season. But I would guess that between now and the beginning of next season that they'll have to bring players in.
"How many additions required is the question, but one thing is for certain that they have to bring a centre-forward in of world class quality and there's not many of those around. Whoever they go for, they're going to get fleeced, because everyone knows they're desperate for a striker."
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