Dietmar Hamann believes Darwin Nunez would be ‘gold’ for Arsenal despite the Liverpool forward’s struggles in front of goal.
Nunez, 25, was presented with an open-goal to score the winner against Aston Villa and fire Arne Slot’s side into a ten-point lead at the top of the Premier League. Despite being only seven-yards out, the Uruguayan blasted over the crossbar and Villa held on for a 2-2 draw against the League leaders.
After the match, Slot was incensed with Nunez’s reaction to the miss, claiming the ex-Benfica man allowed his head to drop. As Liverpool fans in their social media masses claimed Nunez may be set for an Anfield exit in the summer, Hamann thinks Mikel Arteta’s side should take advantage of any possible doubt in the South American.
When asked what strikers Arsenal should target, Hamann, speaking on behalf of Prime Casino, said: “I think Nunez would be gold for Arsenal, because I think if you’ve got somebody up top who bullies defenders, who draws defenders in, he always gets the attention of two or three defenders.
“Obviously, he’s a big unit. He’s quick. The game changes. If you’ve got somebody up top with a physical presence, with pace, it’s a different ballgame.
“They always find space, Arsenal, but it also makes it easier for the likes of Saka and Martinelli and Odegaard when they get into these pockets because quick players stretch teams. They simply haven’t got it.
(Image: Getty Images)
“I think even a Nunez would be a brilliant addition to the squad, but it’s too late for that now and they have to make do with what they have.”
Considering the reactions on social media, many Liverpool fans would be happy if the Premier League leaders shipped Nunez to the Emirates Stadium. One fan wrote: “Yeah, there’s no way Arne Slot is keeping Darwin Nunez at Liverpool this summer.” Another added: “I absolutely love him, his enthusiasm and his love of the club, but if he can’t finish we need to move him on unfortunately.”
While Slot was visibly frustrated by Nunez’s miss on the touchline, the Dutchman was more unhappy with the striker’s immediate reaction to his miss. After the match, Slot said: “I can accept every miss especially from a player who scored two important goals against Brentford.
(Image: Getty Images)
“What is harder for me to accept is the behaviour after that chance. It was not the usual Darwin who works his arse off. He was too disappointed at missing that chance. What is harder for me to accept is the behaviour after that chance. It was not the usual Darwin who works his arse off.
“He was too disappointed at missing that chance. I will tell him [that we can still achieve] but I will tell him he can miss a chance but cannot miss out on work rate. That is the life of a striker, he can miss, he can score, no problem at all. It’s part of the job that you sometimes miss when people expect you to score but it is not part to slow down the work rate and that is something we will talk about.”
Despite links with Sporting Lisbon hitman Viktor Gyokeres and Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, the Gunners have opted not to sign a striker in the last four transfer windows, instead relying on Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. That decision has regularly sparked criticism, particularly after the Arsenal duo have suffered long-term injuries.
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