12 hours Ago By Jake Lambourne
Arsenal must sign a striker to go to the next level – but a poor mentality is not the reason for their continued Premier League title failure.That’s the view of Gunners legend Martin Keown, who believes the north London outfit must bring in a player boasting a similar profile to Thierry Henry and Ian Wright.Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side were once again toothless in attack during the recent draw at Manchester UnitedGettyAnd the three-time Premier League winner is also of the opinion that Arsenal‘s drop-off is solely down to their injury crisis.
Mikel Arteta‘s men have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals following their record-breaking 7-1 win away at PSV last week ahead of Wednesday night’s last-16 second leg.But they have failed to emerge victorious in their last three top-flight matches to leave them trailing leaders Liverpool by 15 points.Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw away at struggling Manchester United on Sunday, with their makeshift front three of Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri again struggling in the final third.
A lack of creativity has been a huge problem for the Gunners so far in 2025 having lost four key forwards in Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli [now back fit] due to injury.Having failed to strengthen in the winter window, incoming Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta knows his top priority must be to sign a striker that can transform the club.With Arsenal on course to finish second for a third successive season, many Gooners have been left disillusioned by what they salvage this campaign with the club seemingly set to miss out on a first league title since 2004.
But Keown has remained upbeat over the current state of the squad when speaking to talkSPORT.com, as he said: “I know that the Arsenal boys haven’t won a Premier League, but I can certainly see some really good players in there.“The defence, the goalkeeper was magnificent [against United], he goes from strength to strength, I don’t see a problem with the back four or the midfield.
“OK, the top of the team now is where the money will have to be spent, a new director of football is coming, so that’s where he will actively go into the market and sort that area out because it needs sorting out.talkSPORT BET: Latest Cheltenham Festival odds and free bet offersRice joined Arsenal in 2023 seeking major trophies, but he is yet to lift oneGettyThe Gunners boast the Premier League’s meanest defence, but scoring goals has been their problem of late“But I don’t think it’s that desperate when we start to get people back from injury, the most important thing is the players to keep believing that they can turn things around.”Keown was then asked whether Arsenal could have any excuses over a lack of success if they get their recruitment spot on this summer.
To which he said: “I don’t think they’re making excuses [for not winning title this season], I think these are facts when you’ve got that many players [out injured].“I don’t want to sound like [Rafael] Benitez, but these are facts that they’ve got all these players injured.“So you know, you’re having to play a front three at the moment that’s not necessarily your first choice.
“Nobody could have foreseen that, you can’t plan for that, how many players do you need for goodness sake?Trossard was initially signed as a back-up, but injuries have meant he has started the last nine league gamesGettyArsenal’s lack of forward options have seen them struggle for creativity up top“But yes, I think we could see that fox-in-the-box type striker [be signed in next transfer window].“Maybe somebody with a bit more pace, somebody who can beat a couple of players and score goals.“You’re talking like an Henry or an Ian Wight here aren’t you?“They don’t come along ten a penny, so yes, get a player in that area – and really you want to go into all areas.
“Where are the free transfers? Where are the young players? There is some obvious talent out there.“Bu the new director of football will go to work – and recruitment now is massive at every football club.”Keown believes Arsenal must sign a striker with a similar profile to record-goalscoer HenryGettyKeown then rejected the notion that – as well as injuries – Arsenal’s drop-off in recent weeks is as a result of a mentality problem.
He remarked: “I don’t see that. I didn’t see that [at Old Trafford]. Did you think there was a problem with Declan Rice?“I didn’t see anything wrong with the defenders, I didn’t see Gabriel [Magalhaes] or [William] Saliba having any difficulties.
“I think what you saw was a normal human reaction, you have 70 per cent possession in the first half and can’t score and the opposition scores with a free-kick.“It’s that feeling of, ‘Ahh, here we go again,’ in the Premier League.“We had seven goals in midweek [vs PSV] and now we’ve had all this possession and can’t score.
“So that’s just normal, but they showed some character and they got back into it.“But then they lost their shape and their discipline and they didn’t manage the game well and that would have disappointed the manager.”Chelsea are next up for Arsenal in the Premier League, where failure to beat the Blues would see them winless in four consecutive top-flight matches for the second time this season.
It’s a fixture that has been dominated by Arsenal in recent years, with the Gunners winning seven of their last ten meetings – losing just once..
