“Arsenal’s lack of a proper striker has come back to haunt us. So many chances in first half, but none taken,” he wrote on X. “I think @Cristiano would score 25+ goals a season in our team with the service he’d get. Arteta’s refusal to prioritise a top striker is his one major blindspot.”
Of course, even at 39, the Real Madrid icon continues to hit huge numbers in Saudi Arabia. Since his huge money move to Al-Nassr, he’s struck 56 times in 62 matches, and tops the Pro League scoring charts ahead of the likes of Karim Benzema and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
But as newsworthy as ‘CR7’ rocking up at the Emirates would be, in reality, the Middle East doesn’t represent a standard worthy of comparison to the Premier League. On the one hand, Morgan is correct to embrace the perception that Gabriel Jesus is not the answer to Arsenal’s perceived lack of a finisher. It’s just the touted replacement he’s got wrong.
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has an £85million release clause. (Image: Getty)
Indeed, what Arsenal fans would have done to have had Watkins leading the line in red yesterday, as opposed to the hard-working and yet misfiring Jesus. But targeting him is surely futile, with the England man contracted to Unai Emery’s side until 2028 and currently relishing being the focal point of Villa’s Champions League charge.
Ivan Toney is also off the boil after returning from his betting ban and despite being linked with a move to north London, at 28, the three-figure fee Brentford want would represent a gamble. Instead, Arteta and co should focus on a man who despite having previous stints in English football at Brighton, Swansea, and Coventry City, has only exploded into the limelight since moving to Sporting CP.
Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres has 36 goals in 43 club games for the Primeira Liga leaders this season, and fits the mould of what the Gunners desperately need. Their current frontline options are perceived to be light in stature, but the forward not only offers both strength and mobility, but also boasts the skill and technical ability that suits Arsenal’s fluid style of play.
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And outweighing all of those traits is a predatory instinct in front of goal. After all, there is a reason why his release clause is set at £85million, and also why he’s already been linked to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.
But at 25, not only could Gyokeres provide Arteta with the missing piece in the jigsaw, but he would also represent a long-term investment. Of course, he would not match the shirt sales and media frenzy that Ronaldo would provoke, but sorry Piers, even at the price tag, he represents a far more desirable signing.
