Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has weighed in on Arsenal’s recent transfer dealings, suggesting that the Gunners should have signed either Jhon Duran or Alexander Isak during the January window.
Scholes believes that either of the two strikers would have enhanced the performance of Arsenal’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, and taken the Norwegian’s game to the next level.
Ødegaard, who has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent and influential players over the past few seasons, continued his stellar form with a goal in their 5-1 demolition of Manchester City on Sunday. However, Scholes feels that the playmaker could have benefitted from a more traditional striker in front of him.
“Imagine him with a centre forward, though. With a proper centre forward,” Scholes remarked during an appearance on The Overlap.
He continued, “Martin Ødegaard is a brilliant player, he can put a ball anywhere he wants. He hasn’t got that in front of him, a No. 10 needs that in front of him. I don’t think Kai Havertz is that type of player, even though he might make the odd run here and there.”
Scholes suggested that the likes of Isak or Duran would have provided the perfect support for Ødegaard, making him even more influential in Arsenal’s attacking play. “You are thinking Isak or Duran, the lad from Villa, if he had that in front of him, it makes him become a better player as well because he is more involved with goals.”
Jhon Duran left Aston Villa for Al Nassr in the winter transfer window, while Alexander Isak remained at Newcastle United, despite strong links to both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Scholes’ comments underline his belief that Arsenal could have been even more dangerous if they had secured a true centre-forward to complement Ødegaard’s playmaking abilities.
