Graeme Souness believes Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker could allow Manchester City to chase them down in the Premier League title race.
The champions have got the defence of their crown off to the perfect start with three wins from three, beating Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side are the overwhelming favourites to win the league at this stage having strengthened their already formidable defence and midfield with the arrivals of Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes, with Christos Tzolis also impressing out on the left.
Kai Havertz has started the season strongly, preferred up front to Viktor Gyokeres who is still to start a game this term. But the Gunners were in the market for a world class forward in the summer, chasing a deal for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez.
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The club pursued a move from the end of last season despite it being made clear the Argentina international was holding out for a move to Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid were prepared to negotiate with Arsenal, refusing to do business with Barcelona. Alvarez however showed no firm interest in joining the Gunners and is now being reintegrated into Diego Simeone’s squad.
Former Liverpool hardman Souness believes it is still an area of the pitch where Arsenal are lacking, still not convinced Havertz sees himself as a true no9 leading the line.
‘Arsenal are a strong, aggressive team but I still think they need a centre forward. Havertz doesn’t want to be there (up front), he wants to be just off someone,’ Souness told Football Uncensored.
‘From a technical point of view, a large part of being a top footballer is decision-making. Having ability, having athleticism but making the right calls at the right time. He will look to score himself as well but it doesn’t matter, Alvarez would have been a great signing for them. You want a goal scorer.
‘I liked him at Man City. He’s a goal scorer. The reason strikers are so expensive is because they are so hard to find.’
Souness agreed Arsenal are strong favourties but suggested they are still ‘a striker short’, expecting Manchester City, who have also picked up three wins from three, to ‘chase them all the way.’
‘It’s early days three games in. But it looks ominous. Arsenal are particularly strong. I still think they are a striker short and I expect City to chase them all the way and I hope Liverpool can settle down and their midfield becomes industrious and they challenge too.’