Ray Parlour has claimed that Arsenal must prioritise signing "one or two strikers" this summer and urged his old side to target Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The Gunners are expected to strengthen their attack after failing to sign another forward in the wake of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January move to Barcelona. football.london understands that the Gunners are targeting two forwards this summer.
Mikel Arteta was reportedly interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic and Alexander Isak as replacements for his former captain, but moves for the talented young forwards failed to materialise. However, despite not replacing Aubameyang Arsenal are in pole position to secure a top four finish this season, but Parlour believes they simply must strengthen up front this summer.
"Arsenal’s priority this summer is to sign at least one or two strikers. That is an absolute must," Parlour said in an interview with The Design Museum.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Aaron Ramsdale's mood, Philippe Coutinho interest and Tomiyasu
"I'd love to see Arsenal take a gamble on Ivan Toney. I think he's a good young striker who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Premier League with Brentford. I'd expect him to only get better as he moves towards his peak years and he’s also a nailed-on penalty taker which we don’t have now that Aubameyang has left the club.
"I'd also be interested in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton because he would add a new dynamic to the forward players already at the club. I think he would hold the ball up well and interchange passes with runners from midfield.
"He’d be a huge benefit to the likes of [Bukayo] Saka and [Emile] Smith-Rowe. Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are realistic targets who would improve the club this summer and I’m excited to see what happens."
Toney has scored an impressive 13 goals in all competitions in his debut season in the Premier League to help haul the Bees away from the relegation zone. And whilst Calvert-Lewin's campaign has been severely hampered by injuries, he has netted 56 times in 183 appearances for the Toffees.
Arsenal's need for strikers could also increase if, as expected, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah leave the club when their contracts expire in June. The Gunners continue their quest for a top four finish when they travel to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
