Arsenal transfer news: Paul Merson tells club to sign Romelu Lukaku in bid to score more ‘scrappy goals’
The former Gunners midfielder has laid out his belief that Mikel Arteta’s “bare” squad needs a new striker, having missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.
One player who can add an extra element to Arsenal’s game is Lukaku, Merson has said, following a loan spell at Inter which has seen him notch 13 goals and help the Italians reach the Champions League final.
The 30-year-old is due to return to Chelsea in the summer in a bid to prove his worth to Mauricio Pochettino, but could yet become available after his £97.5million move two years ago.
Merson told Give Me Sport that a thin pool of players is available to Arsenal this summer, saying: “Ivan Toney would have suited Arsenal, but that won’t happen now because of his ban.
“Romelu Lukaku might be available. The 30-year-old is an out-and-out centre-forward. He will stay up front and back into players. That might help Arsenal.
“They can’t be predictable. Every goal they score is a ‘good’ goal. They need to be able to score scrappy goals.
Romelu Lukaku has hit 13 goals in a loan spell at Inter
/ REUTERS“Ollie Watkins I can’t see scoring 25 goals a season. Unai Emery has made him a better player but I don’t think he has the quality. If Arsenal bought him and he went and he only got ten goals next season, you wouldn’t be shocked.
“They looked at Dominic Calvert-Lewin before. Would that be right for them after the season he’s had? Probably not.”
