Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has warned the Gunners that their striker crisis from the second half of last season should not have been allowed to happen, and their lack of depth must be addressed if they are to push on for major honours next year.
Mikel Arteta's also-rans had to accept a second-placed Premier League finish for the third straight campaign in 2024-25, while also failing to add to their trophy cabinet in the Champions League, FA Cup or EFL Cup.
Arsenal went into the season with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus jostling for position up front, but the pair both missed the end-of-season run-in, as the former tore his hamstring while Jesus ruptured his ACL in January.
As Arsenal failed to bring in a new number nine during the January window, Mikel Merino had to fill in up front for the majority of the second half of the campaign, and he did an admirable job in an unfamiliar position.
However, speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, Parlour has insisted that such mistakes cannot be repeated, saying: "I think a deeper squad is needed for sure. This is key for Mikel to ensure happens next season.
Parlour: 'Striker crisis should not happen to club like Arsenal'
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"Plus, to not fall short in the striker department. To have all strikers injured for a crucial part of the season for a team like Arsenal shouldn't happen. But it did and you have to look at options within the squad to resolve it.
"Merino did a good job when asked upon, but next season Arsenal will look to strengthen so they can really push on and give a real good title challenge."
Arsenal's new sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the charge for a new number nine this summer, and moves for both Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko are being explored.
However, the upcoming window could be just as much about the outgoings as the incomings for Arsenal, who will soon bid a fond farewell to long-serving left-back Kieran Tierney.
The Scotland international marked his final Gunners game with the opening goal in last weekend's 2-1 win over Southampton, his last act before he returns to Celtic on a free transfer.
Parlour: 'Tierney can always offer a good performance'
Tierney became a useful squad player for Arteta in 2024-25 after injury scuppered his chances of an exit last year, and when asked whether it might have been worth keeping the left-back, Parlour declared that he was always capable of producing a strong performance.
"I have spent a lot of time with Kieran over the years at events and what a fantastic guy and top professional," the three-time Premier League winner added.
"He has shown true class throughout his Arsenal career and no better way to end than to sign off with a goal. When he joined he was a key part of Arsenal returning to challenging for the title and in Europe.
"As the years went on, you can see Mikel went for a different type of full back in [Oleksandr] Zinchenko and now [Myles] Lewis-Skelly has come in.
"But in all that time, you can always rely on Tierney. It will be sad to see him leave for sure as he can always offer a good performance for sure."
Tierney - one of the last few survivors of the Unai Emery era in North London - departs Arsenal with a record of six goals and 14 assists from 144 appearances across all competitions since his £25m arrival in 2019.
Ray Parlour was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Online Casino.
Ben Knapton
