Teddy Sheringham believes Arsenal should have looked to a Championship player in January and says the decision to transfer Eddie Nketiah last summer was ‘astounding’.
The Gunners chose to sign academy graduate Nketiah to London rivals Crystal Palace, generating £30m for a striker who scored 38 goals in 168 appearances for the club.
Nketiah played prominently during his final season at the Emirates Stadium, but there were reservations about his ability to lead the line for an Arsenal squad vying for major accolades.
The 25-year-old has had a disappointing season at Selhurst Park, scoring only twice – both in cup games – but Sheringham believes Arsenal made a mistake in selling him.
The former England striker believes Nketiah would have been an excellent choice for Mikel Arteta, who attempted to sign a new forward during the January transfer window.
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Last month, Arsenal were connected with offers for Ollie Watkins, Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak, and Dusan Vlahovic, and they even had a bid rejected for the Aston Villa player.
The Gunners failed to improve Arteta’s offensive alternatives, and Sheringham believes they should have compromised and signed’someone like’ Patrick Bamford.
Bamford has battled for regular game time this season under Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, but he has been one of the most consistent goal scorers in the EFL during the last decade, with 122 goals in 386 games.
The 31-year-old has made over 100 Premier League appearances and scored 24 goals.
‘I’m surprised they let Eddie Nketiah join Crystal Palace, since he is the type of player who gets goals; I believe he is a young Ian Wright,’ Sheringham told finaria.it.
‘Obviously, he is not ready to lead the line full-time for Arsenal, but he should be used occasionally.
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