Should Mikel Arteta Move for Viktor Gyokeres in January?
With the January transfer window looming, Arsenal find themselves in an exciting fight for the Premier League title. Competing fiercely with Manchester City and Liverpool, the Gunners are looking to finally secure their first league crown since 2004. Despite their strong start to the season, some have raised questions about whether the team needs reinforcements to push them over the line. One name that has been consistently linked with the club is Viktor Gyokeres, the highly sought-after striker from Coventry City. However, Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn believes that the Gunners might not need a new forward—and may not be active at all in the upcoming transfer window.
The Arsenal Striker Debate
Arsenal's attack has been a prolific one this season, with the team scoring freely in most of their matches. With players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli leading the charge, the Gunners have shown they can break down defenses and create opportunities. However, the question still lingers: could the addition of a top-tier striker make a difference in their title race?
Viktor Gyokeres has been a target for many clubs, including Manchester United. His fine performances in the Championship with Coventry City have made him one of the most exciting forwards in the UK. Many believe that signing him could give Arsenal the cutting edge they need to secure the title. However, Winterburn, who won three Premier League titles during his time at Arsenal, does not think so.
Winterburn's Caution on a Striker Signing
In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football, Winterburn expressed skepticism about the need for a new striker at the Emirates. He pointed out that Arsenal was one of the top goal-scoring teams in the Premier League last season, which goes to show the current squad should be good enough to provide the goals needed without extra firepower.
Winterburn said, "I'm a bit more reserved than some people. They were one of the Premier League top goalscorers last season. So that says to you, why do you need a striker?" He added that recent performances by the Gunners—such as their 8-goal haul in the past two matches—demonstrate that when everything clicks, they are more than capable of finding the back of the net.
Also he believes that the debate over this position will continue all over the season, but underscored that the current crop of players might already hold whatever is needed to win this season's title. "When we don't score we need a striker, but when we are scoring freely, everything is fine," he explained.
No Big January Moves Expected
Winterburn also tempered expectations about the January transfer window itself. While Mikel Arteta has consistently shown ambition to improve his squad, Winterburn doesn’t expect a major influx of signings in the winter window. “I tend to think if you’re looking at big players and those big players are usually in Champions League teams, so it’s hard to get them,” Winterburn said.
Admitting that Arteta and the club are always looking for ways to strengthen, Winterburn believes that the Gunners may be limited in what they can achieve during January. "They might get somebody in but I think personally that Mikel Arteta will be happy with his squad. I have my doubts about significant business in January," Winterburn added.
The Players' Perspective
Winterburn also spoke about how the players at the moment would take on new signings. The Arsenal squad is very talented, but according to Winterburn, they wouldn't mind new players if their positions are not put in jeopardy. "I think they'll be delighted if another player comes in so long as it's not in their position," he said.
Competition for places in the squad has been fierce this season, and Winterburn emphasized that the players will understand that any new addition is likely to improve the team overall, even if it doesn't directly affect their own playing time.
A Wait-and-See Approach
With the January transfer window looming, it's clear that Arsenal fans will be watching with bated breath to see if Mikel Arteta does any business to strengthen his squad. While Winterburn's comments may indicate that Arsenal might not be as busy as many expect, the Gunners' impressive squad depth and attacking options may mean that Arteta is content to focus on continuing to develop the team's chemistry and performance.
Arsenal's title challenge is still well and truly on, but whether it's Viktor Gyokeres or someone else who comes in the door, one thing is for sure: Mikel Arteta's squad has the quality to reach the very top. For now, fans will have to patiently wait and find out if the club does indeed act to further strengthen their hand as they pursue the Premier League crown.
What are your thoughts? Should Arsenal actually sign a striker like Viktor Gyokeres, or is this current squad good enough to win the title? Comment your thoughts below!
