Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to complete the signing of Cody Gakpo – even if it costs £100million – following the injury to Gabriel Jesus.
Brazil striker Jesus is expected to miss around three months of action after undergoing knee surgery.
The 25-year-old has been a huge part of the Gunners’ success this term as they sit top of the Premier League with 12 wins from their opening 14 matches.
He will be a big miss for Mikel Arteta going into the second half of the season.
Former Arsenal midfielder Merson reckons Arteta and Edu will have to act in the winter transfer window as he can see their title challenge fizzling out without their talismanic striker.
“Arsenal need Jesus to be fit as soon as possible. I can’t see them not sliding down that league without him,” he told Express Sport.
“Especially at Christmas when there are quick rounds of three or four games. We know how quickly it changes.
“They have hard games as well, West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle before facing Tottenham and Manchester United in January.
“I’m starting to think how will Arsenal win a game without Jesus when previously, I was thinking they didn’t look like losing a game with him in the team.”
Arsenal have been linked with Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix as well as Netherlands and PSV star Gakpo.
The latter has shone at the World Cup as Louis van Gaal’s side prepare to take on Argentina in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Gakpo has been strongly linked with the Gunners’ Premier League rivals Manchester United, but Merson insists his former side must beat the Red Devils in the race to sign the 23-year-old.
Even if he costs £100m, Merson insists this is a “once in a blue moon” opportunity for Arsenal.
“Arsenal have got to go and get Cody Gakpo after Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury,” he explained.
“They’ve got to go and get someone. They’ve got a free swing.
“If he is out for up to three months as some reports suggest, they will be out of the top four, let alone the Premier League title race.
“They need to go and get someone. This is the first time since 2004 that they’ve had a serious, serious chance of winning the title.
“If they carry on doing what they’re doing they’ll get in the top four and they would get all of their money back anyway from qualifying for the Champions League.
“Eddie Nketiah can’t keep it up, no disrespect to the kid. Of course he can’t. It’s too much to ask.
“He is brilliant to come on as a sub but they’ve got to go and get a focal point. I’d get Gakpo, he’s lively and scores goals. I would take him over Joao Felix, all day long.
“It doesn’t matter if it costs £100m. You get this chance once in a blue moon.”
While Nketiah is a solid back-up option for Arteta, he is a considerable step down from Jesus.
Should Arteta opt against signing a new forward in January he will feel the wrath of the fanbase.
Arsenal are also expected to be in the market for a new central midfielder. They have been linked with Palmeiras’ Danilo and Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot.
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