George Graham believes Arsenal must sign a striker in January if the club want to achieve a top four finish.
The Gunners suffered a 1-0 loss to Premier League leaders Manchester City yesterday at the Etihad Stadium – a defeat Graham believes effectively ended Arsenal’s title hopes for another season.
Robin van Persie has been in superb goal-scoring form in recent weeks, but the north London club have struggled to find goals when the 28-year-old Dutchman hasn’t found the net.
This has led to Graham insisting that his former club must concentrate on trying to add another forward to their squad this January if they want to finish in a Champions League qualification spot.
He was quoted on talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show this morning saying:
‘Arsene has got to buy another striker in January. I think he’s been looking at it.
‘It’s been well documented that if Van Persie gets an injury they are going to struggle. Yesterday [against Man City] when you look at the teams, they both had similar possession. But when you look at the chances City had they were all from different players. When you look at Arsenal’s chances they came from Van Persie, Vermaelen and Walcott.’
After their defeat yesterday in Manchester, Arsenal now find themselves in fifth spot in the Premier League, three points behind London rivals Chelsea and a massive 12 behind Mancini’s men. And Graham insists yesterday’s result against The Blues wrecked The Gunners title challenge this season:
‘That results kills off their title hopes.’
He added:
‘I don’t think anyone really fancied Arsenal this season to win it and I think their task is to finish in the top four. They’ll do well if they can manage that.’
In my opinion, I agree with Graham on both accounts.
Arsene Wenger MUST sign another striker in January, no questions asked. We saw again yesterday that if RVP doesn’t find the net then we struggle for goals.
In terms of our title challenge, I do now believe it is somewhat over. However, we still have another 22 Premier League games to go and the January transfer window to come. If Wenger can buy the required players needed to boost our expectations then we will be up there or thereabouts come the end of May. Title contenders maybe a little far-fetched this season – let’s face it, weren’t tipped to win it were we? But a top four finish is certainly not out of our reach and if we bring in the right players and find our form once again, then I am fully confident that we will secure a Champions League qualification spot come the end of the season.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
yes we need a striker.wenger most sign a*striker and right full back.
You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I find this matter to be actually something that I believe I might never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking ahead to your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!