Micah Richards feels Arsenal should buy another forward because Mikel Arteta will become ‘frustrated’ with Gabriel Jesus’ lack of influence.
Arsenal were forced to a 2-2 draw against championship rivals Liverpool on Sunday, leaving them third in the rankings, five points behind leaders Manchester City.
It was a solid outcome for the Gunners, who were without many key players, including suspended William Saliba and injured captain Martin Odegaard.
Their defensive depth has taken a hit, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori also out, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber hobbling off hurt during the encounter against the Reds.
Nonetheless, Richards was impressed with Arteta and his team’s handling of the injury concerns at the back, but voiced concern that a lack of quality options up forward could jeopardize their title hopes.
The former City defender said The Rest is Football: ‘It’s how adaptive Arsenal are. [Thomas] Partey plays right-back, while Timber plays left-back. ‘Even without crucial players, they managed to find a way. If they want a low block, they can counter-attack while still causing problems.
People criticize their philosophy in terms of how they want to play, but I always give a manager credit if they can adjust to what the game requires, and Arteta did that quite well.
I believe it’s difficult for him [Arteta] because you bring in Jesus as a striker, winger, forward, whatever you want to call him, and he’s not providing enough in terms of goal threat.
Maybe another forward should be signed solely to help him out and relieve some of the strain on [Kai] Havertz.’ Arteta signed Jesus from City for £45 million in 2022, but injury troubles have hampered the Brazilian’s form, with 19 goals and 15 assists in 80 games.
