Victor Osimhen scored 31 goals in 39 games last season for Napoli (Photo: Getty)
Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has named the two strikers he would like to see Mikel Arteta sign in January.
Once again, the Gunners are mounting an impressive challenge to win the Premier League title, and after 12 games they are third in the table – just one point behind leaders Manchester City.
While Arteta’s team is most impressive, there’s somewhat of a weak spot up top, with strikers Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah struggling with injuries and consistency respectively.
Jesus’ major injury blow last season helped derail Arsenal’s title campaign, and while Leandro Trossard can also thrive in a centre-forward role, many believe that the club need to invest in a world-class striker if they are to be champions.
Campbell, who helped Arsenal win their last league title in 2004, believes this to be the case, telling Mirror Football: ‘In the end, they will have to decide by January, do they need a centre forward.
’20 to 25 goals in the Premier League. You know, in those big, tight games. I think it will help them.
‘Is it always easy to find the right centre forward? I think eventually if they get someone like that, the right centre forward to compliment the attack – you need them to be able to play to dislodge defences.
Ivan Toney is valued at £80m by Brentford (Photo: Getty)
‘Some defences understand your frequency but you bring in another player to change that frequency and other things happen. Bringing on someone really changes it up.’
And when asked which striker he thinks fits the bill, Campbell had two names in mind: ‘[Victor] Osimhen. But is he going to cost too much money?
‘There’s Ivan [Toney]. I think they’re good [in other areas of the pitch]. Center forward is one thing they might need to look at and see the possibilities, see what’s out there, or wait until next season.
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‘But if the right person comes along, an out-and-out striker, that can unlock those tight games, knows what to do in those positions, and also keeps defence occupied to then free up other people, they should maybe look at it Christmas time – if not, definitely next season. The right person will offload the pressure on the team, I think.’
Toney is a name constantly linked with the Emirates, and is widely tipped to leave Brentford in January when his betting ban is over, though the Bees reportedly want £80million for the England international.
As for Osimhen, the Napoli striker has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United in the past and has previously suggested that he’d be interested in a move to the Premier League, though he too would be a costly signing.
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