David O’Leary says he was shocked when Mikel Arteta signed 24-year-old for Arsenal

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Former Arsenal player David O’Leary has now been discussing a surprise transfer Mikel Arteta pushed for last summer.

O’Leary, who played for Arsenal on 618 occasions, certainly knows what it takes to be a success in North London.

The Irish centre-back who won two league titles with Arsenal, as well as two FA Cups.

And given the progress the club are now making under Mikel Arteta, there’s hope that a return to regularly lifting silverware isn’t too far away.

In fact, tonight’s visit to FC Porto in the Champions League knockout stages is hoped to be the start of something special.

That being said, David O’Leary has now been harping back to a signing Mikel Arteta brought to Arsenal in the summer.

It was a busy one for The Gunners, one that meant they then couldn’t really spend in January.

And as part of their outlay, Kai Havertz did join from rivals, Chelsea.

Moreover, when speaking on talkSPORT today, O’Leary admitted that he was shocked when Arteta chose to sign Havertz.

David O’Leary was shocked when Mikel Arteta brought Kai Havertz to Arsenal

The former Arsenal man thought a forward would be signed, but perhaps a more typical striker.

And given Havertz didn’t really solve that specific problem, O’Leary thought that might be a deal that is revisited this summer.

He said: “I thought the next signing over the summer would be a centre-forward, I was quite surprised they bought Havertz.

“I thought that money would go and buy a centre forward. I think in the summer that’s where Arsenal really have a priority, to go and buy a number nine.”

Of course, from the perspective of improving his Arsenal squad overall, O’Leary probably would understand Arteta’s decision.

Havertz is now coming good in North London, and it seems as if he may lead the line in Portugal tonight.

O’Leary is probably right, it seems almost inevitable that Arsenal will seek a goal-scorer in the summer, perhaps to replace Eddie Nketiah.

But given how well the goals are flying in right now, Thierry Henry thinks Arsenal can win the league on one condition.