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Shaka Hislop has offered Arsenal some transfer advice for this summer ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. The pundit insists that the Gunners must bolster their attacking options.
Mikel Arteta's side failed to end their 20-year wait for a Premier League trophy last season after falling short in the title race. Arsenal were in excellent form for the majority of the campaign, but a handful of dropped points cost them the league.
They finished two points behind Manchester City in second, suffering a similar fate as the season prior. Discussing Arsenal's key areas that need to be improved, Hislop highlighted the No.9 position.
Hislop believes that while Kai Havertz had a few good moments, the German is not the striker Arsenal need to win the league. The former Newcastle United goalkeeper also stated that he has a similar opinion of Gabriel Jesus.
Hislop said (via Football365):
“Defence isn’t the first thing you think of when you think Arsenal need to improve. But it does really come down to Arsenal’s attacking options."
"Whilst Havertz, at times, popped up at key moments, key games with goals. I am just not sold on Havertz as a striker to lead a team to win the Premier League. I feel the same about Gabriel Jesus, who I felt started wonderfully well when he first joined Arsenal."
He added:
“There is still that department that needs to be addressed. Arteta is right, margins are really thin, especially when you consider just how good Manchester City continue to be.”
Arsenal will face Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening day of the 2024-25 Premier League season on August 17.
"He doesn’t want that nonsense" - Agbolnahor says Premier League star 'doesn't want to go' to Arsenal amid transfer links
Former Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has scoffed at the idea of Ollie Watkins joining the Gunners this summer. The pundit believes Watkins has no intention of leaving Aston Villa to join the north Londoners.
The Gunners are in the market for a striker as Mikel Arteta gears up to challenge for the title again in the 2024-25 campaign. Arsenal have been linked with Watkins (via The Mirror), who was in excellent form for Villa last season.
However, Agbonlahor sees the England international's future only at Villa. Speaking on talkSPORT, the prospect of Watkins playing in an Arsenal shirt was brought up, to which the pundit responded (via HITC):
“Pardon?! I beg your pardon?"
He admitted that Watkins would be a great addition to the dressing room at the Emirates, adding:
"Odegaard getting on the ball and finding them through balls that he makes. The service he would get from Saka as well. Oh, he would be amazing. But he is at a big club. He doesn’t want to go to Arsenal. He doesn’t want that nonsense. He wants to stay at Aston Villa.”
Watkins registered 53 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa last season, scoring 27 goals and providing 13 assists. He ended the term as Villa's top goalscorer.
