Arsenal urged to ‘break the bank’ for veteran Premier League star

Arsenal have been urged to consider a shock summer swoop for Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood to boost their attacking firepower.

Mikel Arteta’s side opted against signing a striker in the January transfer window despite injuries sustained by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus over the festive period.

And that decision may have come back to haunt them in this season’s Premier League title race after further injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli left the Gunners desperately short of attacking options.

Mikel Merino has deputised up front over the past few games, but dropped points against West Ham and Forest have left Arsenal trailing runaway leaders Liverpool by a whopping 13 points.

Arsenal are likely to renew their search for a world-class striker this summer, with Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko said to be top of their wishlist.

However, both Arsenal will not only have to fend off competition from a host of other top European clubs but also pay a sizeable fee to land either of their top targets.

With that in mind, former Manchester United striker Teddy Sherringham believes the Gunners should look closer to home, insisting Wood could prove a shrewd acquisition for the north London club.

Wood has enjoyed a sparkling season for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, scoring 18 league goals in 27 matches to supercharge Forest’s unlikely bid for a top-four finish.

And despite turning 34 years old later this year, Sherringham believes the New Zealander still has plenty of years left in the tank to operate at the highest level.

‘He’s a young man at 33. I played till I was 41 in the Premier League. He’s still a young man,’ Sherringham told Prime Casino.

‘For the way he plays the game, he can keep going until he’s 36, 37, no shadow of a doubt. If I was Arteta, I could quite easily break the bank for him to play as a goal scorer for Arsenal.

‘Someone that scores goals at the top level is hard to come by and he can do it. Yes, he’s had a phenomenal season, but he’s a natural goal scorer that is capable of leading the line and creating danger in the boxes, occupying defenders.’

Sherringham also said Newcastle should consider resigning Wood if they sanction the big-money departure of Isak this summer.

‘Newcastle could even get him back up there,’ the former England striker added.

‘If they want to cash in on Isak and get £120 million for him to go to Arsenal and then get Wood to go in there for £20-30 million.

‘You’ve got a goal scorer that finishes off all the good work that the rest of the players are doing.’

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