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Published January 12, 2025 7:11pm Updated January 12, 2025 7:11pm
Gary Lineker has urged Arsenal to target Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap following their FA Cup exit to Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta is now facing fresh calls to sign a new forward in the January transfer window after the Gunners squandered several chances during their defeat to United on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal have a long-standing interest in Alexander Isak, although Newcastle United are said to be demanding £150 million for the Sweden international, who has scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances.
Lineker, however, has suggested that Arsenal should identify a striker who offers potential and named 21-year-old Delap, who Ipswich signed for £20m and has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season, as a potential option for Arteta’s side.
‘I said it at the beginning of the season, I felt that’s what they [Arsenal] needed and I think that would possibly cost them the league not investing in that position,’ Alan Shearer said during BBC Sport’s post-match analysis of Arsenal’s defeat to United.
Lineker replied: ‘It’s probably been wanting someone for some time a player in that position.’
Micah Richards then suggested that Arsenal should sign a striker who could make an immediate impact such as Victor Osimhen, who came close to joining Chelsea last summer.
‘It’s hard, you can’t just go out and get a No.9, there’s not that many in world football,’ Richards said.
‘The one I looked at as maybe short term was Osimhen. The problems he’s had at Napoli, he’s been allowed to go on loan in Türkiye.
‘But he’s a proven goalscorer at that level, in the Champions League as well.
‘Obviously, I’m sure Arsenal would like to have someone like Isak.’
Lineker then said: ‘Or they could go for a young, up-and-coming one, because once they’re proven you can’t get them.
‘But someone like Delap I see has got a real something about him.’
Richards replied: ‘I agree with that but they need someone now also.
‘We don’t know where Delap is going to go, I really rate him, I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone.
‘I think with Arsenal they’re always thinking about, ‘what next?’. It’s now, now is the time to shine.
‘He’s been at Arsenal a long time, Arteta. He’s won the FA Cup, the play has been good, I think expected goals from open play has gone down, they’ve become too predictable, obviously losing [Bukayo] Saka and [Ethan] Nwaneri as well.
‘At times I just feel that if they had a striker, who knows where the net is, knows the movements, doesn’t even have to play well, how many times have we talked about [Erling] Haaland where he’s not even been in the game, he gets a chance and scores.’
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