Despite their pursuit of Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window, Arsenal still couldn’t add the recognized center to their squad.
The Gunners finished second in the Premier League, six points behind the Liverpool leader and scored the last 16 points in the Champions League. Their hopes seem to be limited by the striker’s absence, but only the Reds have scored Premier League goals this season.
Kai Havertz was nine of them, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka five points. Their highest ranking ninth (he is far from traditional) is Gabriel Jesus. Brazilians will miss the remainder of the season after an aneurystal injury.
Can Arsenal win silver without a striker?
Watkins has long been a target for Arsenal, but Villa’s sale of Jhon Duran canceled any possibility in late January. Gunners legend Alan Smith believes they can overcome the lack of a forward winning trophy this season.
“I still think they can. They’re only one step away from the Carabao (Cup) final, they got five against the city without a striker, so why not?” Smith said Bateway.
Without a recognized ninth place, Arsenal needs teams to target elsewhere, from back to lead. Smith is happy with the Gunners playing against the players on three fronts.
“I love Declan Rice,” he said. “He was great in Sunday’s game compared to West Ham and the way he went forward at Arsenal. I mean there are a lot, I love him and Odegaard, Saliba is a Rolls-Royce.
“We’re lucky, we have a lot of good players and they all look good and there’s a great atmosphere there.
“You don’t want to disturb the chemistry in the locker room, the balance and the way they pull in the same direction. If you have a not quite right place there, it’s easy to go wrong in the locker room, but I think they recruit very carefully The right person.”
Arsenal will attempt to defeat Newcastle United 2-0 in the Calabar Cup semifinal at St James Park tonight.
After losing to Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup, they have a weekend off before visiting Leicester City in the Premier League next Saturday.
