Thierry Henry has criticised Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for failing to sign a number nine, while suggesting Julian Alvarez could fill that role.

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• Arsenal didn't sign No.9 last summer
• Henry criticises Arteta
• Suggests Alvarez signing

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners legend has hit out at manager Arteta for not bringing in an out-and-out centre-forward last summer, something he had "time" to do. The Frenchman also thinks Atletico Madrid's Alvarez would be a good option to solve that issue.

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  WHAT HENRY SAID

  He said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet: "When you look at the injuries and you look at the players that came, he brought players. He got [Raheem] Sterling when everyone wanted a nine. He had time to get a nine. I'm not the coach, I don't know how the discussion (went)… everyone has been screaming for a nine – apart from when we win, by the way. When we beat Real Madrid, we didn't need a nine.

  "One of my favourite nines out there at the minute is Julian Alvarez. We've been talking about it, putting pressure, playing alone, low, whatever you want to do. Did you see the free-kick he scored the other day? He can hold the ball alone, he played at the Olympic Games, he played in the Copa America. I don't hear him saying, 'I'm tired' or not tired. Hopefully nothing bad is going to happen to him. He's played everything and the way he plays, I just like him."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal have come second in the Premier League for three seasons running and haven't won a trophy since 2020. The missing piece may be signing a new clinical striker, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres among the list of their top targets. Next season could be make or break for Arteta.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  With the transfer window just days away from opening, all eyes will be on if Arsenal finally sign a striker. Before that possibility, it looks like they will recruit Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

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