Wright Thinks Kane Would’ve Changed Things
Arsenal legend Ian Wright dropped a surprise, saying Harry Kane could’ve really helped Arsenal’s title hopes this season. Wright thinks if Kane was on the team, they wouldn’t be struggling so much to stay in the Premier League race.
Mikel Arteta’s team just dropped more points with a draw against Man U, making it three league games without a win. They’ve had a ton of shots, but could only score once, which shows they’re having problems scoring. A bunch of injuries to Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, and Havertz aren’t helping either. Arsenal Legend’s Surprising Kane Claim.
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Striker Problems
Because they’re short on strikers, Arteta’s had to use midfielder Mikel Merino up front. Merino scored twice against Leicester back in February, but he’s not enough to fix the scoring issues. Not having a consistent goal scorer has hurt them, leaving them way behind Liverpool in the league.
Wright thinks getting a proven scorer like Kane would’ve made a big difference. He said on Matchday Live on Optus Sport:
Kane would easily get you those points. Kane alone would’ve kept Arsenal in the title race.
He said the struggles were super clear in the Man U game. Arsenal’s goalie had to make a bunch of saves and without a natural finisher, they couldn’t score when they had the chance.
Missed Chance in January?
Wright also said Arsenal should’ve tried harder to get someone in January. He knows it’s tough to find the right player, but they should’ve done more to get a striker.
You can look back at January and say they should’ve done something. I don’t know who they could’ve gotten, but that’s the job—to find somebody. Well they didn’t, and now they need to start planning for summer, Wright said.
If Arsenal doesn’t catch Liverpool, it’ll be the third season in a row they’ve fallen short. This might put some heat on Arteta, who hasn’t won a league or European title yet.
Wright Defends Arteta, Blames the Board
But Wright is defending Arteta, saying the club’s board is to blame.
I don’t think he’s been given the players he needed, especially after finishing second. What more do you need? Wright said.
He said Arteta has done great things for the club, making the fans happy and fixing up the team. But he doesn’t think the board has done enough to help him. Wright is hopeful about Andrea Berta coming in, since he’s good at finding players, but said the club needs to act fast in the summer.
You can’t wait anymore. You can’t let a manager like Mikel think the club doesn’t have the same goals as him. Five transfer windows in three years, and still no top striker? You have to wonder about that. Arsenal Legend’s Surprising Kane Claim.
Hargreaves Agrees: Arsenal Needs a Top Striker
Ex-Man U player Owen Hargreaves agrees with Wright, saying Arteta shouldn’t have to count on guys like Merino and a 17-year-old to compete for a title.
Nwaneri has been amazing, but Arsenal shouldn’t be relying on a 17-year-old to start at Old Trafford. If you’re second in the league and pushing for the title, you need more options, Hargreaves said.
He said Arsenal doesn’t have the same depth as their rivals. Liverpool have a bunch of attacking options, but Arsenal is relying on guys who aren’t consistent or are playing out of position.
A couple seasons ago, Martinelli scored 15 goals, but he hasn’t been doing that lately. Havertz is a great player, but he’s not really a striker. Arsenal needs a natural goal scorer, someone kind of like Victor Osimhen, who is made to score, Hargreaves finished.
Final Thoughts: Is a Striker the Answer?
Wright and Hargreaves both think not getting a top striker has really hurt Arsenal this season. Without a reliable scorer, they haven’t been able to win as much. If Arsenal wants to win the Premier League, they need to get a striker this summer. Arsenal Legend’s Surprising Kane Claim.
