Ian Wright has warned his former club Arsenal not to go down the same route as Liverpool by signing a striker like Darwin Nunez.
The Gunners look set to be in the market for a new No.9 this summer, having once again missed out on any silverware this season. Arsenal looks set to finish second in the Premier League for the third season in a row, having already been forced into a guard of honor at Anfield on Sunday.
Much has been made of Mikel Arteta’s failure to sign a new striker in recent years, with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher clashing on the subject after the former tipped Arsenal for this season’s title.
The Gunners though won’t be the only side in the market for a new frontman. Arne Slot and Liverpool will also likely be on the lookout for a striker, having been linked with many of the same names as Arsenal.
Nunez has been touted for a departure after three somewhat underwhelming seasons at Anfield. Having made the move from Benfica back in 2022 for an initial $85 million (£64 million), with an additional $29 million (£21 million) in potential add-ons, the Uruguayan’s returns have not met the expectations that came with his transfer.
Nunez attracted attention after scoring 48 goals in 85 appearances while in Lisbon, including 34 in 41 games during his final campaign with Benfica. Liverpool heads were turned in particular after he scored twice against the Reds in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2022.
(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old though has not lived up to that promise, with just seven goals from 45 appearances this season. And with Arsenal potentially looking to Portugal to solve its problems up front, Wright had a stern warning for his former club.
The Gunners have been linked with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, among others, but Wright pointed to both Liverpool and Manchester United as he passed on some advice.
“You look at [Rasmus] Hojlund, he had nine goals for Atalanta,” Wright told Premier League Productions.
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“The money they paid for him is again, you’re taking a chance on potential. Look at Darwin Nunez, exactly, £85 (million). I’m not sure if Arsenal can afford to go in and get it wrong like that.
“You look at it and you say, ‘Yes, we desperately need a striker.’ We need a kind of striker who will come in and score because we can’t do a Hojlund or a Darwin Nunez.”
Liverpool.com says: Harsh, but unfortunately fair as well. There can’t be many, if any, Liverpool fans who still think Nunez is the answer after three seasons. It’s a cautionary tale not only for Arsenal, but also the Reds as they go looking for an upgrade this summer.
Goals in places like Portugal don’t necessarily translate to the Premier League, and both sides will have to keep that in mind.
