'You're certainly thinking it now': Gary Neville delivers honest Arsenal verdict after Newcastle draw
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has claimed that Arsenal’s stalemate with Newcastle is proof that the Gunners need to bring in another striker.
Mikel Arteta’s charges dominated proceedings against the Magpies but failed to get the better of Nick Pope in the visitors’ goal.
It was the first time in 17 Premier League matches that Arsenal failed to get on the scoresheet.
Arsenal registered an impressive 17 shots against Newcastle, but just four of those were on target, as per Sky Sports.
None of the Gunners’ efforts were deemed clear-cut chances, in contrast to the Magpies’ two clear-cut efforts.
A late penalty shout for Arsenal, which the referee and VAR didn’t award, left Arteta and co even more frustrated.
The Gunners are currently without Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a knee injury while on Brazil duty at the World Cup.
Although Eddie Nketiah has deputised admirably for Jesus, Arsenal have been missing that extra edge the Brazilian gives them.
And Neville, speaking during the match, believes fans would “certainly” be thinking that the Gunners need to sign a new striker.
“If you thought before the game that Arsenal needed a striker, you’re certainly thinking it now,” he said (3/1/23, 21:19).
“Not that Nketiah hasn’t done well, but there just isn’t really another option.”
Big dilemma for Arteta and Edu – TBR View
Jesus is such a great player that it’s virtually impossible to replace him in case of long-term injury.
Nketiah really hasn’t done anything wrong. He’s been filling in to the best of his abilities, playing well and working hard.
However, Jesus is a world-class player, so it’s not easy for anyone to step in and cover to the same level.
And with it being the January transfer window, it’s also not easy to bring in a player of similar quality.
Clubs won’t want to part with their best players mid-season, and then you also have consider the price tag.
We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks, but it’s certainly a dilemma for Arteta and Edu.
