New striker would be ‘catalyst’ says Winterburn

Arsenal signing a new striker could be “the catalyst” for success, says former Gunners left-back Nigel Winterburn.

Mikel Arteta’s side were runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League in each of the past two seasons and are currently second again – six points back from leaders Liverpool.

They have struggled for an out-and-out goalscorer since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club with winger Bukayo Saka their chief goal threat last season.

Saka is out injured and while Winterburn knows signing a proven goalscorer is not easy he does think it would make all the difference.

Speaking to 101 Great Goals via William Hill Vegas Winterburn said: “It’s always the debate with Arsenal about a centre-forward.

“My personal belief is that if everyone was fit, an out-and-out goalscorer would make Arsenal very very dangerous.

“If you can guarantee a 25 Premier League goals forward it would be the catalyst. We haven’t won a trophy with this new team.

Leandro Trossard 🤝 Kai Havertz pic.twitter.com/MIKqboI0BD

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 19, 2025

“With a new striker we would be very close and would scare a lot more teams.”

The Gunners have scored 43 goals in the Premier League this season – seven fewer than Liverpool and one behind both Chelsea and Manchester City.

Kai Havertz is their leading goalscorer in the league with eight, and Aubameyang was the last man to score 20 in the league back in 2019-20.

Winterburn said: “You could go out and buy a striker and still not win a title. We have had strikers before but the team wasn’t strong enough.

“But now the team is strong when everyone is fit. The problem this season has been with injuries and having to move players around, tinkering with the system. “