Ian Wright claims top striker ‘wasn’t even an option’ for Arsenal in January
Ian Wright says he was ‘please’ Arsenal at least made an attempt to sign Ollie Watkins this winter, while speculating that Alexander Isak ‘wasn’t even an option’ for his former club.
Mikel Arteta confirmed the Gunners were โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันที exploring avenues to bolster their attack in the wake of Gabriel Jesus’ season-ending injury, with the Spaniard forced to rely on Kai Havertz in the false No.9 role this term.
But the window closed without Arsenal making a single signing, which Arteta admits was ‘disappointing’, given the lack of viable options he has at his disposal up front.
Watkins emerged as Arsenal’s primary target in the days approaching the deadline – and the north London outfit tested Aston Villa’s resolve with a bid in the region of £60million for the England forward.
But Villa rejecte the ambitious offer out of hand, determine to keep hold of their star striker after losing Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.
A resounding 5-1 victory over champions Manchester City arrive at the perfect time to silence those fans criticising Arsenal for failing to strengthen while they had the chance in January.
The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Dusan Vlahovic and Yoane Wissa were all linke in recent weeks, as well as Watkins and Isak, but Wright believes it was ‘always going to be tough’ for Arsenal to bring in the calibre of player they desire.
‘It was always going to be tough for us. Isak wasn’t even an option,’ the legendary ex-Arsenal striker said on the.
‘When we’re talking about strikers, it’s a gamble and I don’t care who you are.
‘Darwin Nunez, Rasmus Hojlund… Isak went for £63m, he’s the only one in recent times that I’m looking at as a striker who has probably double his money.
‘You look at Nicolas Jackson. For £32m, I’m happy with that. But when you start getting past £50m, you have to start thinking that it’s a pure gamble.
They’re hoping that it works and I don’t think Arsenal can afford to do that. That’s probably why they went for a 29-year-old in Ollie Watkins or Villa tried to get him to come to us, whatever it was.
‘As a club, I don’t think we can afford to take the chance on those kind of signings hitting or missing. It has to hit with Arsenal and this is why it’s so tough.
‘I’ve always thought it was so difficult to get somebody in January. Who is going to leave at that stage who is the calibre of player you want? We’re going to have to see something in the summer.’