Michael Owen names three Premier League stars Mikel Arteta can sign to fix Arsenal issue

Michael Owen has given Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta a list of three Premier League strikers who could be the answer to the Gunners’ goalscoring problems.

Arteta hasn’t had a regular No.9 this season, switching between summer signing Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard throughout the campaign. Jesus was signed from title rivals Manchester City in the summer of 2022 with a view to being Arsenal’s long-term striker, but his lack of goals and fitness issues have put his role in jeopardy.

Havertz – usually an attacking midfielder – has shown signs of promise but isn’t considered a natural goalscorer, nor is winger Trossard. With that in mind, former Liverpool striker Owen believes that Arteta has three options to think about signing ahead of the summer transfer window.

One of those is Ollie Watkins, who scored to cap an impressive performance from Aston Villa in their shock 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday. The 25-year-old England international has long been tipped to join the Gunners and Owen would approve.

“He is a player who is getting better and better year on year.” Owen told Premier League Productions. “He’s the type of player who could go into the Arsenal team, whether or not they can buy him is another thing.

“There are a lot of players in the Premier League at the moment who would probably be an upgrade on what Arsenal have right now. You’re looking at [Alexander] Isak up at Newcastle, maybe Ivan Toney at Brentford and Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa.”

Watkins is enjoying the best goalscoring season of the trio, bagging 19 in the Premier League, none of which have been penalties. Meanwhile, Newcastle talisman Isak got himself on 17 goals after scoring twice against Tottenham on Saturday, while Toney – who only returned from his eight-month ban in January – has managed four strikes for struggling Brentford.

Your turn! Which of these three strikers should Arsenal sign? Give us your pick in the comments section.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates his sides win during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Nottingham Forest at Gtech Community Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 2: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on April 2, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alexander Isak

Arsenal did enjoy a flurry of goals during the early part of the year but after failing to score twice in their last five games, questions are once again being asked. Arteta has previously suggested that the Gunners will look to sign a striker this summer, having rejected the notion that Arsenal’s free-scoring form in January, February and March would change his mind.

“The plans that we have for the summer are very clear,” Arteta affirmed. “They were done almost at the start of the season understanding what we can have, the contract situations with some players, and how we can improve certain areas of the team. This situation doesn’t change that.”

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