Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has called on Mikel Arteta to act swiftly in the January transfer window to address the team’s lack of firepower.
With key players Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka sidelined by injuries, Arsenal’s attacking options have been significantly weakened, jeopardizing their Premier League title aspirations.
The Gunners struggled to find the back of the net during their recent draw against Aston Villa, with Arteta left with limited substitutes, including Raheem Sterling.
While Ethan Nwaneri is set to return for the Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb, Winterburn believes relying on a teenager to carry Arsenal’s offensive burden is unrealistic.
Over the past weeks, Arsenal has been linked to several forwards, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic. Despite the high costs associated with these players, Winterburn insists the club must prioritize finding a reliable goal-scorer.
Speaking to William Hill Vegas, he said: “If you could guarantee Mikel Arteta that one of them can offer 20 to 25 goals a season, that would be great — but no one can guarantee that! Arsenal need a striker to take them to the next level, and that is to win the Premier League. It’s not about the name but about who can score the most goals for this team.”
Osimhen, Sesko, and Vlahovic all bring unique qualities to the table, but Winterburn stresses that the primary focus should be on consistent goal-scoring to boost Arsenal’s title push.
Currently trailing league leaders Liverpool, Arsenal also faces the challenge of balancing domestic and European ambitions. Winterburn, however, believes the Premier League should remain the club’s top priority.
He stated: “Winning the Premier League shows a team’s quality and resilience over an entire season, which is the ultimate test. Arsenal has come close recently but fallen short. For me, lifting the league title would be a testament to their progress since moving to the Emirates.”
While some Arsenal fans dream of Champions League glory, Winterburn emphasizes that consistency in domestic performance is the foundation for long-term success. Arsenal has until the transfer window closes to act decisively and bring in the firepower needed to compete on all fronts.