Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Tottenham once had a striker who would be a dream fit for Arsenal now.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been flying high at the top of the Premier League and held a one-point advantage over champions Liverpool heading into the current international break.
Formidable at both ends of the pitch, Arsenal look well equipped to go all the way this season, especially after splashing the cash on big-name forwards Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.
Gyokeres has scored three top-flight goals so far, and after spending £64million to snap him up from Sporting Lisbon, the Gunners will hope he can lead the line for them for years to come.
However, Shaun Wright-Phillips says a legendary Spurs ace would be even better for Arteta’s current crop.
Gary Lineker would be an ideal fit for Arsenal
Indeed, while speaking to HaytersTV, Wright-Phillips named Gary Lineker as the player best suited to Arsenal’s patient style of play.
“He’s the best poacher you will ever know,” said the player-turned-pundit. “There aren’t many strikers now in the game that play like that.
“For a team like Arsenal or City where they’re trying to thread those cute passes into the box, Gary would be a delight for those teams.
“He’s a natural finisher, and he always seemed to execute at the right times.”
Lineker was nothing short of incredible during his glittering career in the top-flight, and his record of 145 goals in 235 appearances speaks for itself.
As Wright-Phillips rightly said, Lineker was renowned for his penalty area prowess, and Arsenal, up until they signed Gyokeres at least, sorely needed a player in that mould.
Viktor Gyokeres admits he must do better
But Gyokeres is facing mounting criticism at Arsenal, having scored just three goals in his first 10 appearances at the club, while he is also under fire for his performances for Sweden.
The 27-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his nation’s 2-0 defeat against Switzerland, leaving them on the cusp of failing to reach next summer’s World Cup.
Speaking after the dismal defeat, he admitted he simply had to do more.
“Of course, it’s not good enough,” Gyokeres told Fotbollskanalen.
“With this team, we have to do much, much better – in every part of the pitch. It’s clear that we need to make things click a lot better than they are right now.”