Ian Wright has told the Kelly & Wrighty Show that Arsenal lack a striker that can score half-chances – like Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian scored his side’s second goal against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
Arsenal were impressive in the first half, with Gabriel Martinelli the pick of the bunch – causing Trent Alexander-Arnold to endure a “torrid time”, according to Jonathan Woodgate. He created, but Arsenal did not convert.
Alexandre Lacazette has only scored four Premier League goals this season and the Frenchman did not show the instinct required to score on Wednesday. The Frenchman is out of contract in June, and needs replacing.
Wright has called on the side he supports to sign a striker who is capable of scoring half-chances – like Firmino did when he came on at The Emirates. Firmino himself, is about to enter the final 12 months of his Reds contract.
“That’s the player Arsenal need, that clever player. The way they played in the first half, they need clever movement to get that goal to put Liverpool on the back foot. Arsenal don’t have that player that can take half-chances.”
Wright on Firmino: Arsenal to pull off cheeky move for Liverpool ace?
It seems incredibly unlikely for two major reasons. Firmino, who turns 31 in October, would see Edu and Mikel Arteta rip up the transfer blueprint they have put in place – signing proven stars, between the ages of 20 and 25.
Firmino would make the difference, but even if Arsenal did make an exception for the Liverpool star – he would hardly betray his current side. Firmino is an icon at Anfield, having been at the club for seven years.
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