Arsenal kicked off their Premier League title defence in emphatic fashion, recording a commanding 3-0 victory over Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard all found the net as the Gunners demonstrated exactly why they arrive into the new campaign as reigning champions.
Odegaard was named man of the match following a commanding midfield display that underlined his importance to Mikel Arteta’s side this season.
Despite the convincing result, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes Arsenal still have room to strengthen before the transfer window closes.
Neville has urged the club to pursue Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, insisting the Argentine would be the missing piece in Arsenal’s pursuit of European glory.
The former Manchester United defender says Arsenal still need “a bit of magic up front” and believes Alvarez is precisely the player capable of providing it at the highest level.
Neville was particularly keen to highlight how a striker of Alvarez’s profile could unlock a new dimension in Odegaard’s already impressive game this season.
Neville said of Odegaard: “He’s exceptional on the ball, his understanding of the game is fantastic. I actually think… if there, say, was an Ian Wright up front for Arsenal, who made those little runs all the time, I think he would be even better.”
Neville continued to elaborate on the point, adding: “I think because Gyokeres always comes to the play and so does Havertz, he’s almost always playing possession in the final third rather than playing those slip through passes, which I think could be so dangerous.”
The argument is that Odegaard’s most devastating qualities remain underused without a forward willing to make the intelligent runs in behind that could release him.
Arteta also acknowledged the impact of injuries last season, noting how little Saka, Odegaard, and Ben White played together down the right flank throughout the campaign.
With those players now fit and available, Arsenal’s right side looks considerably more potent heading into what promises to be a defining season for the club.
Alvarez has been linked with a move to the Emirates throughout the summer transfer window, with interest intensifying as the deadline approaches.
Neville’s endorsement will only add further weight to the calls for Arsenal to make a decisive move for the Atletico Madrid forward in the coming days.
