Arsenal have been sent an urgent transfer message after they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool on Thursday night at the Emirates.
Despite dominating the early stages, Arsenal failed to carve an opening and were handed a brutal lesson as Diogo Jota scored twice to send Liverpool through, converting the only two clear chances that fell his way.
Arsenal started with Alexandre Lacazette up top, and later introduced Eddie Nketiah, but it wasn't enough as Arsenal's recent goal drought continued.
With one goal scored in their last four games, they've been sent an urgent message by former star Paul Merson, who believes that they have to sign a striker this January.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still out of the squad, and both Nketiah and Lacazette free to leave for nothing this upcoming summer, Arsenal are amidst a state of crisis up top as they face starting next season without a clear no.9.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with Dusan Vlahovic this January, with some reports suggesting that a deal has been agreed with Fiorentina, and Merson has urged his former side to ensure that the move gets done.
While reacting to Arsenal's exit from the Carabao Cup, Merson told Sky Sports: "They need a striker and they’re not making millions of chances so they need someone who’s going to be putting the ball in the back of the net.
"Until they get a centre-forward who’s going to get them 20, 25, goals a season and then we’re talking again. They’ve had your [Thierry] Henry's, Ian Wright's, people like that - they need a top centre-forward. You very rarely win anything without a centre forward."
Arsenal are now out of both domestic cup competitions and Merson's views have been echoed by Mikel Arteta, who admitted after the game that they need to improve in front of goal, hinting that he is pushing for a signing this January.
Arteta said following their defeat: "We are really disappointed not to be in the final, but we were up against a top side, we had a big moment in the first half, big moments in the second half and when you have those moments you have to score if you want to beat this opponent.
"We were there pushing for the game. We had corners, good situations. You have to score, you have to convert, if you want to beat a team like Liverpool."
Arteta was asked if he felt that his side did enough and again criticised their inability to score, as he said: "No, because we didn't score a goal. We need to score goals and go through. That's why we're out."
Arsenal will now have to solely focus on the Premier League, and a January signing could majorly boost their chances of getting back into the top four, after failing to do so in recent seasons.
In fact, this is the first season that Arsenal have been without any form of European football in 26 years, but without a centre-forward, they could miss out again.
