PIERS MORGAN has blasted Mikel Arteta’s “major blindspot” over Arsenal’s attack – and identified Cristiano Ronaldo as the solution.
The broadcaster fears Arteta’s “refusal” to sign a proven finisher is ruining the Gunners’ title dream, as shown by Aston Villa’s 2-0 win at the Emirates.
Arsenal brought in Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz last summer but have not signed a true striker since Gabriel Jesus in July 2022.
And with even Jesus more of a maker than a taker of goals, super-fan Morgan has no doubts about the reason Arsenal could again miss out on the Premier League crown.
Sunday’s shocker left the Gunners two points off leaders Manchester City.
Morgan responded by posting: “Arsenal’s lack of a proper striker has come back to haunt us.
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“So many chances in first half, but none taken. If Watkins was playing for us, we’d have won this 3-0.”
That verdict came after Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck clinically late on – in contrast to the Gunners’ tame frontline.
Morgan added: “I think @Cristiano would score 25+ goals a season in our team with the service he’d get.
“Arteta’s refusal to prioritise a top striker is his one major blindspot.”
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The presenter added: “FFS. We’ve choked again. Unbelievable.”
During the match, Gabriel Jesus took up no more of an advanced position than winger Leandro Trossard, with his average spot half way between the edge of the penalty box and the halfway line.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, 39, has bagged 56 goals from 62 matches for Al-Nassr since moving to Saudi Arabia in December 2022.
And the Portugal legend heads the Saudi Pro League scoring charts this season, netting 29 times in 25 games, including two hat-tricks in a row.
Al-Hilal’s ex-Fulham hero Aleksandar Mitrovic comes next on 22 goals.
That’s despite Al-Nassr sitting second, a distant 12 points behind Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo was always prolific for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, even though he was mainly a winger until his late-20s.
But after netting 18 Prem goals in his first season back at Old Trafford in 2021-22, his form dipped ahead of his controversial exit.
A tell-all Talk TV interview with Morgan was the final straw for United ahead of his departure 18 months ago he laid into boss Erik ten Hag.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
