"If you put him in the Arsenal side, he gets over 20 goals" - Pundit makes big claim about 33-year-old Premier League striker
British pundit Darren Ambrose has claimed that Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood would score more than 20 goals if he were to be in Arsenal's squad. The former Premier League star also opined that Wood is a high-class goalscorer who could help solve the Gunners' goalscoring issues.
In an interview with Rory Jennings on Kick Off for talkSPORT, Ambrose said:
"If you put Chris Wood in the Arsenal side, he gets over 20 goals, He does. Look at the goals he's scoring now... He's an out and out goalscorer. I you put [Jean-Philippel Mateta in there, he probably gets 15 to 20 goals."
Ambrose added and told the interviewer:
"The reaction you've given me there, it's frowned upon, and that's what Arsenal fans would do. They'd laugh, they'd go, 'Can't have Chris Wood! Why? The guy's just scored 20 plus goals at Nottingham Forest. "We're talking about goalscorers, What are we looking for if you're Arsenal? Are we looking for just a superstar that you go and pay £100 million for? This is why... My argument for Chris Wood and Mateta is an argument that would get ridiculed by certain supporters."
One area which has remained a priority for the Gunners this summer is the centre-forward position. Despite strong links with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting CP, the Gunners are yet to sign a striker.
At age 33, Wood has remained one of the most experienced and prolific Premier League strikers. Last term, the New Zealand international registered 20 goals and three assists in 40 outings for Forest.
Having featured for numerous Premier League clubs, Wood's familiarity could help the Gunners achieve their objectives if signed. However, his age could discourage the Gunners from considering him, given their reported desire in signing a young striker.
"They need a couple of really big signings" - Tony Cascarino on Arsenal
Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino has claimed that the Gunners need to make some big signings this summer. He also advised that the North London side should try to push for Newcastle United's Alexander Isak.
In a discussion via talkSPORT, Cascarino revealed (via Just Arsenal):
“They need a couple of really big signings. People might look at [Martin] Zubimendi…I think it is way more than that, I think Arsenal need two or three big ones. I think he (Sesko) is a really good player, but I think they are having to go bigger. That’s why I said if anyone could get Isak out of Newcastle, I would rather they try that one.”
The Gunners have been reportedly linked with several players in distinct positions in the ongoing window. Thus, it remains to be seen whether they would make more than one statement signing in the coming months.