Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta needs to bring in one of these two centre forwards, says Julio Baptista
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been told two players that he needs to sign ahead of the summer transfer window. The Gunners are in search of a goalscorer who can help them go all the way as they compete for the Premier League title, among other major trophies.
Speaking to Foot Italia, former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Julio Baptista said that Arteta needs to consider signing Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
“People talk about Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian,” said Baptista. “He’s done incredible stuff at Wolves, so maybe he’s the player that Arsenal need. Arsenal need to take a look at him, I think.
“Cunha should definitely be on their short list. He has performed brilliantly in a team that has found life difficult at times this season, so you would think that at Arsenal he would score even more goals given the chances that they create and the way they dominate most games. He would also be playing with better players.”
However, the former Brazil international said that the Gunners also need to seriously look at Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres.
“Then there’s Viktor Gyokeres, too,” said Baptista. “The boy has incredible numbers – 45 games, 44 goals, 11 assists. Arsenal are one of the teams that are supposed to be really interested in him, and I can see why. I think the new Sporting Director Andrea Berta really likes him; he was on his radar when he was the Sporting Director at Atletico Madrid.”
“If I’m Arteta,” Baptista added, “I’m moving for one of those two. I think it’s really important that Arsenal bring in a striker that is coming off the back of a great season and is full of confidence. They need a player to join them who has that aura about them and is ready to complete the side.”
Arsenal are set to finish as runners-up in the Premier League title race for the third season in a row under Arteta. However, the club are still in contention for the Champions League title, and have in fact been marked by many pundits as favourites to win it, after clinically dispatching holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
