Martin Keown names signing who could take Arsenal to ‘another level’

Martin Keown says Julian Alvarez could be the calibre of player to take Arsenal to ‘another level’ and help bring the club’s wait for Champions League glory to an end.

Arsenal have set out their stall across a busy summer transfer window, eager to strengthen on the back of their Premier League title triumph under Mikel Arteta last season.

After activating their £35million option to sign Piero Hincapie on a permanent basis from Bayer Leverkusen, the Gunners moved quickly to wrap up deals for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis and free agent Illan Meslier.

While there was disappointment as Arsenal fell short in their pursuit of top attacking target Vinicius Junior, the £75m arrival of Bruno Guimaraes came as a statement to the rest of the league that Arteta’s side are determined to build on their success.

A comprehensive Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Sunday was further proof of this renewed desire within the group ahead of the new campaign, with new signings Tzolis and Guimaraes both impressing on their full debuts in Cardiff.

But Arteta is reportedly determined to freshen up his attacking options before the transfer deadline and the English champions continue to be linked with potential big-money additions such as Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz.

Former Arsenal and England defender Keown believes it could be time to revisit a possible deal for Atletico Madrid star Alvarez, though, despite Diego Simoene’s insistence that the striker is not for sale.

Asked if there could still be a ‘missing link’ in Arteta’s squad after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over City, Keown told talkSPORT’s Jim White: ‘We’re talking about key signings and what they do next. Obviously that’s an area… European dominance, never mind domestic dominance, the next step.

‘Of course, the two strikers are under pressure to make that happen.

‘It may be that someone like Alvarez [could be the man]. He’s a player that they looked at last season, they thought about bringing in and that could be the sort of player they’re looking at.

‘They need to decide. That’s the key at the moment, is the decisions. The ambition is there but they’ve got to make key signings at the right times.

‘If you want to win the Champions League then we know you’ve got to go to another level.

‘Christos Tzolis did exceptionally well yesterday, he got two assists in the game, but that would be an area.

‘Martinelli wasn’t on the pitch, he wasn’t involved in the group. Does that tell me he’s on his way? I don’t know. But maybe that’s an area they will want to strengthen, in wide areas, to be really super strong in those position.’

Though Arsenal were ultimately unsuccessful in their ambitious attempts to prise Vinicius away from Real Madrid, Keown was encouraged that his former club were even in the ‘conversation’ for the Brazil international.

‘Who do they buy next? They can go really big,’ he added.

‘It was good news that they were in the conversation for Vinicius Junior because that’s where they’re looking next.’

Asked if he ever truly believed Arsenal could sign Vinicius, Keown replied: ‘No, I never thought for a minute it would happen. But what pleased me was that’s the sort of target you want to be going after.

‘If you’re talking in those terms then you’re going to new levels and that’s where Arsenal are right now.

‘It’s really key that they make the right signings next to take the club to the next level.

‘If you’re coming into that group now, you’re almost having to step into the team at a high level.

‘Maybe in wide positions, maybe at centre-forward and maybe at right-back there might be some business to be done.

‘I don’t think Arsenal are finished yet and there’s a feeling of desire and ambition in the club that I haven’t sensed for many years.’

Keown hopes to see Arsenal assert themselves as the dominant force in English football this coming season – but knows it will be no mean feat.

‘I think they’re capable of doing that. I don’t think it’s going to be easy,’ he explained.

‘I think what they need to do, though, is hone in on domestic dominance.’

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