Arsenal’s Insipid Performance at Sunderland Shows the Need for a New Striker

Arsenal have arguably needed a top-class centre-forward for years. However, their blunt performance in the 0-0 draw at Sunderland confirmed the necessity of adding a new striker this summer. The Gunners can no longer afford to get by without an elite goalscorer.

It’s a search that has gone on for some time. When Robin van Persie joined Manchester United in August 2012, Arsene Wenger opted to replace him with the pair of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

Podolski was a disaster at centre-forward, and he ended up playing most of his football on the wing before eventually being sold off as surplus to requirements.

Giroud has fared significantly better, largely hanging on to his status as Wenger’s first-choice striker. However, his disappointing performance in Sunday’s game suggests that spell may soon be coming to a close.

There have been attempts to replace him in recent campaigns. Wenger has tried the likes of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck as alternatives, but neither has managed to nail down the spot as their own.

The solution is likely to have to come from outside the club. In the build-up to the Sunderland match, Daily Mail …

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