'Arsenal Don’t Need To Sign Mikel Merino'

Written By Albert Echatah

Although William Gallas is optimistic that Arsenal can break their Premier League title drought this year, he has cautioned Mikel Arteta that he may be about to make an unnecessary acquisition.

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The Gunners have strengthened once more this summer after finishing second to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in two consecutive campaigns.

After making multiple impressive appearances for Italy at Euro 2024, Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal from Bologna, while David Raya just made a permanent move from Brentford after a season-long loan at the Emirates stadium. Arteta has decided that strengthening in midfield should take precedence over finding a new forward.

Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino has been the Gunners’ top priority to join Declan Rice in the middle of the park and rumours from last week indicated an agreement was close to being reached.

But Gallas thinks a new striker is the key component that has to be added to the puzzle and that the signing of the Spain international is not necessary at the moment.

‘Arsenal don’t need to sign Mikel Merino when they have Declan Rice who can play in that role, the former Gunners’ skipper told Genting Casino. ‘I don’t think Arsenal need another midfielder. They need a striker and maybe a winger.

‘I’m sticking by my prediction of Arsenal winning the title but they still need a top class striker that can go and score them 20 goals in the Premier League.

‘The only issue is that they haven’t signed that striker yet, despite coming so close to being champions last season.

‘With Gabriel Jesus, he has injuries and isn’t consistent enough. I’m also not convinced by Kai Havertz, he scored goals but many were penalties, they need to buy a striker.

‘I hope Gabriel Jesus can be the play to fire Arsenal to the title and it’s Mikel Arteta who sees him in training everyday – but I don’t think he has what it takes to score 20 goals.

‘He didn’t do it at Manchester City and hasn’t done it at Arsenal, I’m not sure he can do it this season either.’

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