Arsenal’s signing of a new striker could be “the catalyst” for success, says former Gunners left-back Nigel Winterburn.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons and are currently second again – six points behind leaders Liverpool.
They have struggled for an off-and-on goalscorer since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club with winger Bukayo Saka their main goal threat last season.
Saka is out injured and while Winterburn know it is not easy to sign a proven goalscorer, they believe he would make a difference.
Speaking on 101 Great Goals via William Hill Vegas Winterburn said: “It’s always the talk with Arsenal about a centre-forward.
“My personal belief is that if everyone was fit, a goalscorer on and off would make Arsenal very dangerous.
“If you can guarantee a striker with 25 goals in the Premier League, that would be the catalyst. We have not won a trophy with this new team.
Leandro Trossard 🤝 Kai Havertz pic.twitter.com/MIKqboI0BD
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 19, 2025
“With a new striker we would be very close and scare a lot more teams.”
The Gunners have scored 43 goals in the Premier League this season – seven fewer than Liverpool and one behind Chelsea and Manchester City.
Kai Havertz is their top scorer in the league with eight, and Aubameyang was the last to score 20 in the league in 2019-20.
Winterburn said: “You can go out and buy a striker and still not win a title. We have had strikers in the past but the team was not strong enough.
“But now the team is strong when everyone is fit. The problem this season has been with injuries and the need to move players around, confusing the system. “
