Arsenal legend Bacary Sagna has urged his former club to sign a striker like his previous teammate Olivier Giroud as he believes they desperately need ‘a pure number nine’.
The Gunners oversaw the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, while Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are on course to leave in the summer upon the expiry of their contracts.
And it is no secret that Mikel Arteta needs a guaranteed goalscorer in his side if they are to compete for silverware and challenge in the top four next season.
Aubameyang had scored just four goals before he left, while current club captain Lacazette has notched just three in the Premier League this season.
And now ex-Gunner Sagna wants to see the club sign their ‘new Olivier Giroud’ and someone who can act as a pure no.9 in attack.
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Speaking to Betting Expert , Sagna said: “I would rather they signed a pure no. 9. Someone who stayed in the box. A bit like what Oliver Giroud was.
"They need that focal point. If I had to take a player, I would take someone a bit like Giroud.
"But Mikel (Arteta) is in charge and I think he already knows what he is doing and what he is doing is great and I'm happy for him.”
Lacazette was made club captain last month and following a turnaround in performances of late, the Gunners are supposedly set to offer him a new two-year contract to ensure he stays at the club
But it has been understood that the Frenchman was likely to leave upon the expiry of his contract this summer.
However, Sagna believes that replacing a ‘complete’ player like Lacazette is going to be no easy feat, with the forward able to offer more than just goals to the side.
He said: "It's hard to find a complete player like him.
"He likes to drop deeper and be part of the build-up, but he likes to run in front of the goal as well, so he is quite a complete striker. I see him more as a no. 10 to be honest. He has top quality finishing abilities.
“It’s a good time for Lacazette, because it seems like he has an open field for himself now to be working in and be confident and try to do his best, without having the pressure of another striker pushing him.
“He knows a lot relies on him. I know for a fact that he will give 100% for the club and will give 200% until the end of the season.
“Of course he reaches the end of his contract. It's a part of football. I did the same and it didn't stop me from being fully committed."
The Gunners remain firmly in the mix to finish in the top four this season and that will be crucial in attracting top strikers to play for the club.
And if they can guarantee a player Champions League football, they’ll give themselves the best possible chance of securing their top targets.
