Tim Sherwood has warned that Arsenal may regret selling Eddie Nketiah following their narrow 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby.
Despite the win, the Gunners remain four points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated but failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, sparking fresh calls for a new striker before the January transfer window closes.
Nketiah, who was sold to Crystal Palace for £30 million last summer, has only netted twice in 18 appearances. Nonetheless, Sherwood believes Arsenal would benefit from having him in their current squad.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, Sherwood said Arsenal’s goal-scoring woes persist despite their solid defensive display, led by Gabriel.
“They did well at the back, keeping Tottenham’s chances limited, but the problem remains up front. Nketiah, with his poacher instincts, could’ve taken some of those chances tonight,” Sherwood noted.
He emphasized the challenge of finding a reliable striker in January. “It’s tough to get the right player now. Alexander Isak would be ideal, but he’s unavailable. Arsenal might have to rely on a loan deal or promote from their academy, though finding a young No.9 ready for this level is unlikely.”
Sherwood also highlighted the difficulty of Arsenal’s title pursuit. “To stay in the race, they can’t lose more than two games for the rest of the season.
Man City has managed such a run before, but Arsenal doesn’t have the firepower to replicate that. They’re just one key player short of winning the league.”
Concluding, Sherwood praised Arsenal’s defense but remained skeptical about their chances without addressing their goal-scoring issues. For now, Arteta’s side must focus on maximizing their current resources to keep their title hopes alive.
