Arsenal hero urges club to break the bank to sign one of Europe’s deadliest strikers

Arsenal’s bid for Premier League success has recently been marred by inconsistency in front of goal. With crucial matches and title aspirations hanging in the balance, the Gunners’ lack of a clinical striker has become an issue that cannot be ignored. Despite an attacking unit filled with talent, Arsenal has struggled to convert chances into goals, a fact that was painfully evident in their 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. As the team enters the second half of the season with a serious need for a reliable goal scorer, one former Arsenal hero, Perry Groves, has strongly advocated for the club to break the bank and sign one of Europe’s deadliest strikers. Groves believes that only by securing a world-class forward can the Gunners truly challenge for major honors, particularly in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s attacking problems have been evident for much of the current season. While the team has shown moments of brilliance, especially in terms of overall team play and possession, they have struggled to maintain a cutting edge in front of goal. This issue was highlighted most recently in a frustrating 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners had established a two-goal lead, only to squander it with poor finishing and defensive errors. The inability to close out the game underscored a broader issue: a lack of a ruthless, reliable goal scorer.

The situation is made more complicated by injuries to key players. Bukayo Saka, one of Arsenal’s most potent attacking threats, is sidelined until at least March due to injury. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus, the club’s main striker, has been struggling with a long-term ACL injury that has kept him out of action for much of the season. With two key players unavailable, Arsenal’s attack has become increasingly reliant on players who are either out of form or not natural goal scorers.

One of these players is Kai Havertz. The German international was expected to shoulder more of the goal-scoring burden this season, but he has struggled to find his best form. Havertz’s talent and versatility are undeniable, but he has yet to demonstrate the clinical edge that Arsenal requires from a forward. His tally of eight league goals this season, while respectable, falls short of the high standards needed from a top striker in the Premier League.

It is in this context that Perry Groves, a former Arsenal player and current pundit, has called for the club to go all out to sign a world-class striker. Groves was particularly vocal on *talkSPORT*, urging the club to “pay over the odds” if necessary to secure a top-quality forward. His argument stems from the belief that Arsenal’s title hopes could hinge on adding a clinical striker to their ranks.

“You look at Kai Havertz,” Groves remarked on the radio show. “Although he scored on Saturday, that’s where you want him all the time. You want him making runs across the near post. His actual general play has been really good, but he’s not a natural finisher. That’s the thing.” Groves acknowledged Havertz’s technical ability and contribution to the team’s overall build-up play but highlighted that the Gunners need a player who can consistently finish chances, especially in tight matches like the one against Aston Villa.

Groves also pointed out that Arsenal’s scoring last season was much more spread out among various players. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Havertz all scored 12 or more goals in the Premier League. However, the lack of a consistent, out-and-out striker means that this season, no player has yet managed to crack double figures for goals. This could prove costly as the Gunners try to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title.

As Groves emphasized, Havertz’s all-around game is solid, but he is not a natural goal scorer. For Arsenal to seriously contend for the title, they need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net consistently—someone who can score 20 or more goals a season, especially when the team creates numerous chances. Groves likened Havertz to a versatile attacking player who might score around 10 goals per season, regardless of whether he plays as a center-forward or a deeper role, but that’s simply not enough for a team with title aspirations.

“In my opinion,” Groves continued, “you need a proper center-forward, someone who can put the ball in the back of the net from various situations—across the six-yard box, from set pieces, and with clinical finishes. Havertz, as good as he is, doesn’t provide that. A top striker in his position will get you 20 to 25 goals a season, which is the kind of player Arsenal desperately needs.”

Arsenal’s lack of a reliable finisher has been compounded by the club’s struggles to capitalize on key moments in matches. Despite dominating possession and creating ample opportunities, the Gunners have often been unable to put games to bed, leaving them vulnerable to late goals and missed chances.

One player who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal is Victor Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli. Osimhen is widely regarded as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, with a consistent goal-scoring record that stretches back to the 2021/22 season, where he scored 14 goals in Serie A. His current tally of 11 goals in 14 games for Galatasaray this season further highlights his prolific form. Given Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal, Osimhen could be the player they need to resolve their attacking woes.

Groves was quick to endorse Osimhen, stating that he would bring the Nigerian striker to Arsenal “in a heartbeat.” “You’re not going to get Alexander Isak because Newcastle are not going to sell him, especially as they look to push for Champions League football,” Groves argued. “But if it means you pay over the odds or bring someone in on loan, any center-forward at the top level, I think you’d be licking your lips thinking, ‘I can make a massive difference to that Arsenal side.’”

Osimhen’s name has been mentioned frequently in the transfer rumors, with several top clubs, including Chelsea and even Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, reportedly interested in signing the striker. However, Osimhen turned down a loan move to Al Ahli last summer, with the Nigerian international preferring to stay in Europe and continue his development.

For Arsenal, a player of Osimhen’s caliber could be the key to unlocking their full attacking potential. His physicality, pace, and natural goal-scoring instinct would complement the fluidity of Arsenal’s attack, and he could provide the finishing touch to the team’s creative play. Moreover, with Saka out for an extended period and Jesus still recovering from his ACL injury, Osimhen could provide the immediate reinforcement Arsenal needs up front.

Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal may not be immediately fatal to their title ambitions, but as the season progresses, the Gunners may find themselves falling short in key matches due to their inability to convert chances. The Premier League is a highly competitive environment, and in a tight race for the title, small margins can often make the difference between winning and losing. Groves made the point that a clinical striker could tip the scales in Arsenal’s favor.

“I think it’s a crying shame, actually,” Groves said. “The number of games I’ve seen at the Emirates, especially when that ball flashes across the six-yard box, and no one is there to finish it off. That’s where a proper center-forward would come in. Havertz is an excellent footballer, but I don’t think he’s the player who’s going to get you those 20 to 25 goals a season. A true center-forward would make a massive difference to this Arsenal side.”

Groves’ point about the ball flashing across the box is particularly relevant, as Arsenal’s fluid attacking play often creates opportunities that simply go begging. A clinical striker in the mold of Osimhen could ensure that these chances are converted, leading to more points and a stronger push for the Premier League title.

While the idea of signing a top-class striker like Osimhen is appealing, there are significant financial considerations to account for. As Groves suggested, Arsenal may need to “pay over the odds” to secure the services of such a player, particularly in the January transfer window. Given the ongoing competition for top strikers in Europe, Arsenal could face stiff competition from other clubs, especially if Osimhen or another elite forward becomes available.

Furthermore, Arsenal’s recent spending on players like Havertz and Declan Rice has already stretched their budget, and the club may need to make difficult financial decisions if they are to pursue another marquee signing. However, with their title hopes on the line and the need for a top striker more pressing than ever, Arsenal may find it necessary to splash the cash in order to secure the player they need to maintain their push for the Premier League crown.

Perry Groves’ call for Arsenal to sign a world-class striker is one that resonates with many Arsenal fans and analysts alike. Despite the talent within the squad, the Gunners are lacking the kind of clinical edge that could make the difference in tight matches. With key injuries to players like Saka and Jesus, the team’s attacking options have become increasingly limited. A striker like Victor Osimhen could provide the cutting edge that Arsenal so desperately needs, offering a constant goal-scoring threat and elevating the team’s performance.

Whether Arsenal will heed Groves’ advice and break the bank for a top forward remains to be seen, but the need for a reliable striker has never been more urgent. If the Gunners want to keep pace with Manchester City and other title challengers, they may have no choice but to make a significant move in the transfer market. The next few months could be crucial in determining whether Arsenal can secure the silverware that has eluded them in recent seasons.