Lee Dixon believes that while Arsenal forwards Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres are excellent players, a truly elite striker would be a massive benefit to the Gunners.
Former England defender Dixon also suggested that defending champions Arsenal could do with a central defender and winger as they look to do a Premier League and Champions League double in the coming season.
And he feels bit-part striker Gabriel Jesus should move on this summer – although he might be happy as a squad player at this stage of his career.
During an exclusive conversation with BestBettingSites, Dixon said of Arsenal’s summer transfer window requirements: “We talked about Arsenal needing a centre-back.
“I do think we need another top-class option out wide and in defence.
“At the moment, we’ve got the two main centre-backs, and then there’s a slight drop-off to three players who can fill in.
“We need a third centre-half who is right up at that elite level with the main two [Gabriel and William Saliba].”
Natural centre-forward needed
Dixon continued: “Kai Havertz is a very good player – I like Havertz a lot – and Viktor Gyökeres gives us another dimension.
“But a natural, out-and-out centre-forward you can completely hang your hat on is rare.
“They’re just not around right now.
“We were talking about this with the England set-up under Thomas Tuchel.
“You look behind Harry Kane and, while Ollie Watkins is there, there aren’t massive numbers of elite, natural goalscorers.”
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Come in number nine, your time is up
Dixon added: “In my day, Ian Wright couldn’t get in the team, Robbie Fowler couldn’t get in, Teddy Sheringham had to play as a number 10 and you had Les Ferdinand.
“You had eight or nine top-class strikers all trying to get ahead of Alan Shearer.
“It’s not the same at club level now – where are those natural goalscorers?
“The game has evolved away from the traditional number nine.
“That said, I do like Gyökeres.
“If Arsenal play to his strengths a bit more this season, he will score a hatful.
“Last season, [Martin] Ødegaard barely passed to him at times – Gyökeres would make the run and the ball just wasn’t played.
“So centre-half and centre-forward are key, which is probably what every team in the Premier League is looking for.”
Jesus a proven winner
When asked which players he expects boss Mikel Arteta to usher through the exit door this summer, Dixon stated: “I’m actually surprised Gabriel Jesus hasn’t moved on already, even though he’s been brilliant for the club.
“But Arteta might view him as essential because he’s fantastic in the dressing room.
“He’s a proven winner – he’s been there, done it and won titles.
“So from that point of view, Arteta might think, ‘We can afford his wages, he comes off the bench to score the odd goal and we don’t have a youngster ready to take his spot.’
“From the player’s perspective, is he happy with that squad role? That’s down to him.
“He looks enthusiastic whenever he comes on, so it’s not like he’s sulking.
“Toward the end of my career, I played right up until my last season when I turned 38, and I wouldn’t have wanted to sit on the bench for two or three years.
“Jesus might feel differently and be happy to do another couple of seasons in that role.
“But he and Ben White are the obvious ones.
“The rest of the squad Arteta won’t want to thin out any further.”
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