"It's not as simple as someone who can score 25" - Ex-Manchester City star Joe Hart on challenges for Arsenal to become Premier League champions
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has claimed that Arsenal would fall short of winning the Premier League title even if they sign a seasoned striker. The Gunners finished second in the league last season even as the fate of the title was decided on the last matchday.
Mikel Arteta's men have cemented themselves as serious title contenders in the last couple of seasons. However, they've fallen short of winning the Premier League title for the first time since 2003-04. The Gunners have been on the lookout for a seasoned striker and signing Kai Havertz from Chelsea raised more questions than it answered.
The German had a sedate start to his stint with the north London club. He found his rhythm towards the latter half of the season, scoring 14 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions. His performances relegated Gabriel Jesus to the bench but Havertz, too, has been far from exceptional.
While he played as a False 9 for much of the campaign, Bukayo Saka grabbed headlines for his thunderous strikes. The Englishman managed 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.
But Joe Hart believes that even a striker with the ability to score 25 goals a season wouldn't solve Arsenal's problems. He stated that the Gunners do need a finisher but added that Arteta's men have other challenges as well. Here's what he said (via Mirror):
"It’s not as simple as someone who can score 25. They’re not doing something small here, they are trying to topple one of the great teams. It's hard to look past Arsenal as the closest challengers. They’ve got the solid foundations but they’re not standing still. But how Liverpool start under Arne Slot will be interesting. Man Utd are backing [Erik] Ten Hag, Chelsea's recipe with all those incredible ingredients, Newcastle will go again. Those can all challenge.”
Arsenal competing with the likes of Real Madrid & Bayern Munich to sign seasoned strikers: Joe Hart
The Gunners, over the last few weeks, have been linked with several players, including Julian Alvarez. The Argentine signed for Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of £81m. Riccardo Calafiori remains the only new addition to Mikel Arteta's side.
Joe Hart believes that there are only a handful of lethal finishers available in world football and the Gunners are potentially competing with the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to sign them.
On this he told the aforementioned publication:
“They are in the market against Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich. And there aren’t too many 25-a-season strikers to be found. Globally, millions play the sport, and there’s very few at the elite end capable of that.”
The new Premier League season begins on August 16. Arsenal will take on Wolves on August 17, Saturday in their first clash of the season.