Former Liverpool Star Claims Arsenal Missed Ideal Nunez Opportunity
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann has delivered a pointed critique of Arsenal's transfer strategy, suggesting the Gunners missed a significant opportunity by not attempting to sign Darwin Nunez before his summer departure from Anfield.
The Nunez Conundrum at Liverpool
Nunez arrived at Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 amid considerable excitement and a substantial transfer fee. The Uruguayan international brought blistering pace and raw physicality to Merseyside, yet his three-season stint was marked by frustrating inconsistency in front of goal. Under manager Arne Slot last season, he found himself largely on the periphery, starting only eight Premier League matches before his eventual sale to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
Liverpool moved swiftly to reinforce their attacking line following Nunez's exit, securing the high-profile signings of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Arsenal, meanwhile, invested heavily in Sporting CP's prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres, aiming to find the clinical finisher they believed could elevate Mikel Arteta's title-chasing side.
Gyokeres' Struggles and Hamann's Alternative Vision
However, Gyokeres' adaptation to the Premier League has proven challenging. The Swedish forward has managed just five goals in twenty-one league appearances this campaign, a return that has raised questions about his suitability for the demands of English football. His recent demotion to the bench against Manchester United, with Gabriel Jesus preferred, has only intensified the scrutiny.
Hamann, speaking to CasinoBeats, argued that Arsenal's resources would have been better directed towards Nunez. 'I thought Nunez would have been tailor-made for Arsenal, a team that creates many chances,' the pundit stated. He acknowledged Nunez's well-documented finishing issues but highlighted his unique disruptive qualities. 'For all his faults, Nunez always occupied two or three defenders with his physicality and his pace. If he could finish, he'd probably be the best player in the world.'
In a direct comparison, Hamann was unequivocal: 'I think for Arsenal he would have been a much better fit than Gyokeres.'
Doubts Over Arsenal's Current Striking Option
Hamann expressed significant reservations about Gyokeres' ability to lead the line for a club with Arsenal's ambitions. 'I don't think he's one of the top strikers in Europe,' he asserted. 'I think he's a goal scorer but then again I don't think a goal scorer against the best teams is enough because I don't think he will get into positions where he can score.'
The former midfielder pointed to the heightened physical and tactical demands of the Premier League compared to the Portuguese Primeira Liga, where Gyokeres excelled. 'In Portugal he didn't have to do too much work going backwards... Sometimes we have to give players time, but I'm not sure he's got what it takes to lead the line for a club like Arsenal and take them to the title in all honesty.'
With Arsenal preparing for a crucial league fixture against Leeds United this weekend, the debate over their centre-forward position shows no sign of abating. Hamann's comments underscore a lingering belief that an alternative path, involving the mercurial talents of Darwin Nunez, might have offered a more potent solution to Arteta's attacking puzzle.
