Mikel Arteta told one transfer he must make to ‘complete’ his Arsenal squad

Arsenal are set to be active in the summer transfer window with new sporting directo Andrea Berta now in place at the club – with Mikel Arteta wanting a new striker for his side

Matheus Cunha must be placed on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist, according to former Arsenal ace Julio Baptista. The Wolves star is one of two options Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have this summer to complete the Gunners’ squad.

A new striker has long been on the agenda for the north London side, and Arteta had hoped for a new arrival in the January transfer window. Injuries have seen Mikel Merino lead the line in recent months and the gap in the squad is likely to be revisited in the summer.

Arsenal were linked to Cunha in January, but the 25-year-old Brazilian ultimately extended his contract at Molineux. The Wolves ace has bagged 16 goals in 30 appearances this term, despite the Midlands club looking like a relegation candidate for much of the season.

Those exploits have been enough to convince Baptista that Cunha can improve the Gunners’ squad. The 47-times capped international reckons the forward thrive with greater opportunities presented by Arsenal team-mates.

“People talk about Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian. He’s done incredible stuff at Wolves, so maybe he’s the player that Arsenal need” told footitalia.com.

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“Arsenal need to take a look at him, I think. Cunha should definitely be on their shortlist. He has performed brilliantly in a team that has found life difficult at times this season, so you would think that at Arsenal he would score even more goals given the chances that they create and the way they dominate most games. He would also be playing with better players.”

The talents of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres have not gone unnoticed by Baptista either. The Sweden international has put a convincing argument forward to have gathered interest in the upcoming transfer window.

“Then there’s Viktor Gyokeres, too,” he added. “The boy has incredible numbers: 45 games, 44 goals, 11 assists.

“Arsenal are one of the teams that are supposed to be really interested in him, and I can see why. I think the new Sporting Director Andrea Berta really likes him; he was on his radar when he was the Sporting Director at Atletico Madrid.”

Either player would improve Arsenal’s offering next term, according to Baptista. The pair would bring an aura to the Emirates.

“If I’m Arteta, I’m moving for one of those two,” Baptista said. I think it’s really important that Arsenal bring in a striker that is coming off the back of a great season and is full of confidence.

“They need a player to join them who has that aura about them and is ready to complete the side,” Baptista said.

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