Arsenal legend, Robert Pires, has offered a transfer strategy to Mikel Arteta ahead of the winter transfer window.
The Gunners endured a massive squad overhaul in the summer and were the highest spenders in the top flight as they splashed out £150million to reinforce their options.
Six new signings had arrived in the summer, with center-back Ben White arriving for a whopping fee of £50milion, making him the third-most-expensive acquisition in Arsenal’s transfer history.
Perhaps, Aaron Ramsdale has been the standout performer for Arsenal this season. Fellow new signings Takehiro Tomiyasu and Nuno Tavares have also had a good start to life in north London. Alongside Gabriel and White, they have formed a solid partnership at the back. Although they have signed three defenders in the summer, Pires wants his former club to sign another defender in January.
The former Arsenal winger believes securing the services of another defender is crucial, despite being aware of the void that will be created in the midfield and the forward positions by the players leaving for AFCON next year.
Pires also feels the need for his former club to grow its English core. Among the six new arrivals, only two have been English signings, and he wants Arteta to add to their growing English contingent at the club.
While speaking in an episode on Hotel.com’s Dream Island(via Dailymail), the 48-year-old said:
“It is difficult but in January if Arsenal can spend money maybe on a defender because I think our midfield and strikers are very good players. In my opinion (they should) sign English players because we need English players in this squad because when you play in the Premier League, you need a player like this.
“For example, in my time I played with Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown, Ashely Cole and this is the base for your team. They need to spend the money on a defender in my opinion, English.”
Arsenal Fever View:
The north Londoners have drastically improved their backline with the summer signings. But, it is critical to have cover for these players, and Pires is accurate in pointing out the need for another defender on Arteta’s side.
However, with several midfielders and forwards set to miss out on club football due to AFCON next year, it will be sensible if the Gunners look for reinforcements in those areas of the pitch.
Midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are set to head off to the competition along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe. Granit Xhaka is also ruled out until January due to an injury. This emphasizes the need for a midfield signing in the winter transfer window.
Read More: Arsenal register their interest in signing Renato Sanches
