Arsenal legend Ian Wright identifies what Mikel Arteta’s inexperienced side need to learn after their Champions League exit… and the type of player they need in their quest for the trophy.
- Back-to-back defeats this week have derailed their quest for silverware
- Arteta plans overhaul by signing striker, left-back and midfielder
- Hope is not lost for Arsenal and it’s not right that Oleksandr Zinchenko is being made a scapegoat: listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Mikel Arteta’s side still need to learn after their Champions League exit.
The Gunners surrendered top spot in the Premier League after a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, meaning Manchester City remained above them in the table, despite numerous scoring chances.
Joshua Kimmich scored a second-half header to send Bayern Munich into the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of the Gunners on Wednesday.
Wright believes fatigue can be a problem, pointing to Ben White’s role in Bayern’s winner on Wednesday night as an example.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, the former Arsenal striker explained: “I know he must be absolutely exhausted, gone.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright says Mikel Arteta’s team still needs to learn
Arteta plans summer overhaul by signing striker, left-back and midfielder
“For him to cross to stop a guy with that much time, just in and around the box to cross him into a very dangerous area, where another group of our players were on their heels, that’s what we have to learn.
“That’s why I’ll be patient with this team because they still have to learn these things. Then you need, I don’t care what anyone says, someone with an with a Kevin De Bruyne vibe, they make things happen.
Arsenal have identified three priority positions to strengthen Arteta plans changes to his team in a bid to break into Europe’s elite.
The Gunners plan to revamp their squad ahead of next season as they look for success.
It’s no secret that Arsenal want a new striker this summer, but curiously they’ve also placed a new left-back and midfielder on their summer checklist.
Arsenal will release significant funds this summer, with their spending on incomings expected to be supplemented by a number of outings.
News of the club’s search for a left-back comes at a time when there are doubts over Oleksandr Zinchenko’s long-term future under Arteta, although the Spaniard has offered resounding support to the Ukrainian defender over early this week.
A dismal 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa meant they missed the chance to go top of the league.
Then the Gunners were knocked out of the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich.
Among their targets for a new striker are Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon center forward Viktor Gyokeres.
They also admire Premier League duo Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak, who play for Aston Villa and Newcastle respectively, but both deals are fraught with difficulties. Their long-term interest in Ivan Toney has simmered.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has major support from Arsenal’s recruitment team.
There will also be a focus on selling peripheral players, with Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Thomas Partey among the players who could be sacrificed.
