Arsenal are rightly becoming frustrated with the lack of movement in terms of attacking reinforcements.
The start of the transfer window for Arsenal is following a familiar pattern, solid business completed in defensive areas but once again the attack has been neglected.
Arsenal have signed Kepa Arrizabalaga to provide competition for David Raya and are also expected to announce the signings of Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi imminently.
Cristhian Mosquera wants to join Arsenal after rejecting a new contract offer at Valencia but once again there is stalemate on the club’s search for attacking talent. Mikel Arteta now has to take action.
Arteta’s message to Andrea Berta was clear last season – the Gunners are in desperate need of a striker to take the next level and win a trophy.
Arsenal have finished runners-up for three consecutive seasons and Arteta is under pressure to deliver next campaign.
However, he is not being helped by the indecision from Berta and Stan Kroenke when it comes to finalising deals for attacking players.
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres sagas are becoming tedious to supporters and the Rodrygo deal is threatening to do the same.
Eberechi Eze is desperate to join Arsenal and a player of that calibre should be snapped up as quickly as deals are being done for the likes of Mosquera and Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal cannot fumble this transfer window and leave themselves short in attacking areas like last season, it is time for Arteta to demand a striker before their pre-season tour.
It isn’t a case of sign a striker and problem solved for the Gunners. Whoever it may be walking through the door this summer needs time to adjust to Arteta’s system and the teammates around him.
Jamie Carragher has backed Kai Havertz to keep his place as centre forward this season and that may well be the case the longer Arsenal leave it to make a move.
Havertz has proven he can lead the line for the Gunners but doesn’t have the predatory instinct in front of goal that the club needs to finally land major success.
Getting their man through the door for the pre-season tour is vital and after years of building his project, it is time for Arteta to lay down his demands to the Arsenal hierarchy.