Owen Hargreaves has urged Arsenal to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options in the summer and believes a former Real Madrid forward would be an ideal target for the Gunners.
Arteta’s side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League despite only Viktor Gyokeres scoring more than six goals in the competition.
Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces has been criticised by a number of pundits and even by some within the Premier League, including Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.
The Gunners won’t care one bit if the tactics lead to a first Premier League title since 2004, however, with Arsenal making the trip to the Etihad to take on title rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal were hoping to win their first trophy since 2020 at Wembley last month but were beaten 2-0 by Man City in the Carabao Cup final.
Despite that setback Arteta’s side are still in with a chance of winning two trophies this season with the north Londoners having also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League where they will take on Atletico Madrid.
Given the level of planning at the club, one eye will already be on the summer transfer window and the chance to strengthen a squad that has been hailed as the strongest in Europe.
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Arsenal’s back-five looks incredibly settled, conceding just 24 goals in 32 Premier League games, but several attacking positions could be looked at by Arteta.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has urged Arsenal to sign a new left-winger to replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, while several pundits want to see another striker signed to replace Gyokeres.
Hargreaves also believes it is in the attacking areas that Arsenal should prioritise in the summer transfer window, naming Nico Paz as an ideal target.
Argentina international Paz is currently thriving under ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Italian side Como, having signed from Real Madrid in 2024.
Spanish giants Madrid are believed to have the option to re-sign Paz but Hargreaves has urged Arenal to launch a move for the 21-year-old, who looks set to feature at this summer’s World Cup and has also been linked with fellow Premier League giants Chelsea.
Asked about possible Arsenal summer signings, Hargreaves said on TNT Sports: ‘There’s a young lad at Como, Nico Paz.
‘There’s an option for him to go back to Real Madrid but if I’m Arsenal…
‘This kid – you’ll see him at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta will already know that this boy will be a star and if you don’t ask you don’t get.
‘A player like that could suit Arsenal.’
Premier League legend Fabregas has repeatedly heaped praise on Paz since he joined Como from Real Madrid.
‘Nico does incredible things,’ Fabregas said back in November. ‘He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment.’
Speaking last month, meanwhile, Fabregas said: ‘He sees the goal, he is not afraid.
‘Nico enjoys playing, he can play different roles and he is very complete player. I see a very, very big potential in him.’
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