Robert Pires reveals who he thinks Mikel Arteta's side should sign to bolster their frontline - as club legend calls for the Gunners to buy a 'real striker' if they are to win trophies
Robert Pires reveals who he thinks Mikel Arteta's side should sign to bolster their frontline - as club legend calls for the Gunners to buy a 'real striker' if they are to win trophies
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Arsenal legend Robert Pires has urged his former side to sign a 'real striker', citing it as the key position they need to fix if they are to end their five-year major trophy drought. The Gunners are currently fighting on three fronts for silverware this season, having been knocked out of the FA Cup third round by Manchester United earlier this month.
![[Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (centre) has been unable to get the best of his forwards this term]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/02/94621907-14336007-image-m-21_1738118177752.jpg)
They sit second in the Premier League, are virtually assured a place in the Champions League last 16 and are in a Carabao Cup semi-final - although they trail 2-0 to Newcastle going into the upcoming second leg. Over recent campaigns it is the former that they have come closest to challenging in - finishing runners-up to Manchester City over the last two terms.
![[Pires (right) has urged his former club to sign a 'real striker' to prevent their drought continuing]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/02/94620469-14336007-image-m-18_1738118076395.jpg)
This season it is Liverpool who are leading the way at the top of the table, with Arsenal their nearest challengers - albeit they are six points adrift and have played a game more. And analysing the two squads as well as reigning champions City - who are fourth and 12 points off the top - Pires underlined the difference being the frontline abilities of their rivals compared to Arsenal.
![[The club legend was a key figure in the Gunners side that won trophies in the early noughties]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/02/94622125-14336007-image-a-28_1738118857810.jpg)
Robert Pires has pointed at Arsenal's striking options as the reason why they can't win trophies. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (centre) has been unable to get the best of his forwards this term. Pires (right) has urged his former club to sign a 'real striker' to prevent their drought continuing.
![[Mohamed Salah (left) has 19 Premier League goals this season, while Erling Haaland has 18]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/02/94622071-14336007-image-m-25_1738118357480.jpg)
The club legend was a key figure in the Gunners side that won trophies in the early noughties. Sticking up for the north London outfit - who last won a major trophy via the FA Cup in 2020 - Pires, who exclusively speaking to Mail Sport in Paris at a Playstation crossover concept event, said: 'I think the criticism [of their frontline] is definitely unfair. I don't like to compare different times but I was a lucky man as I played with great players.
![[By comparison, Arsenal's makeshift centre-forward Kai Havertz has eight goals this campaign]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/02/94622077-14336007-image-a-27_1738118475825.jpg)
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