Ian Wright is urging Arsenal to sign players who can both cover and challenge Bukayo Saka and William Saliba this summer as they strive to surpass Manchester City next season.
Arsenal narrowly missed out on the Premier League title, finishing just two points behind the champions. To bridge this gap, significant investments are expected in the upcoming transfer window.
Last year’s marquee addition, Declan Rice, had a transformative impact on Arsenal’s midfield. This summer, the club is strongly linked with potential moves for new center-forwards, including Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Brentford’s Ivan Toney. While Kai Havertz impressed in the central striking role, scoring 13 league goals, the club might seek a more prolific scorer.
However, former striker Ian Wright suggests that Arsenal should focus their investment elsewhere. On the Stick to Football podcast, Wright emphasized the importance of squad depth, pointing to Manchester City’s successful strategy.
“Everyone talks about needing a center-forward, but we’ve managed without an out-and-out striker,” Wright said. “We need cover for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, and probably another midfielder. Manchester City’s ability to rotate and maintain quality is something we should emulate. Strengthening the entire squad is crucial—just look at our bench.”
Wright’s podcast co-host, Jamie Carragher, disagreed with his assessment. Drawing from his experience with Liverpool, Carragher argued for the importance of bolstering the first XI directly.
“When you have a good team, like we did at Liverpool, you think you need a better squad. But what you really need are top players who push current starters to the bench,” Carragher explained. “Arsenal shouldn’t just look for cover; they need to buy a left back and possibly upgrade their left wing. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are good, but a top-tier left winger could elevate the team significantly.”
Carragher believes that instead of just finding cover, Arsenal should focus on acquiring a top attacker to complement Saka, enhancing the overall attacking prowess.
As Arsenal prepares for the next season, the contrasting views of Wright and Carragher highlight a strategic dilemma. Whether to enhance squad depth or directly strengthen the first XI remains a pivotal decision for the Gunners.