Owen Hargreaves has publicly urged Arsenal to strengthen their attacking options this summer, specifically recommending former Real Madrid forward Nico Paz as an ideal target for the Gunners. This advice comes as Mikel Arteta's squad leads the Premier League by six points, despite concerns over their reliance on set-pieces and limited goal-scoring from open play.
Arsenal's Current Position and Attacking Concerns
Despite sitting atop the Premier League table, Arsenal's attack has faced scrutiny. Only striker Viktor Gyokeres has scored more than six league goals this season, leading pundits like Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler to criticize the team's over-dependence on set-pieces. However, with a crucial match against title rivals Manchester City approaching, Arsenal remains focused on securing their first Premier League title since 2004.
The Gunners recently suffered a setback with a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, missing out on their first trophy since 2020. Nevertheless, they are still competing in two competitions: the Premier League and the Champions League, where they have reached the semi-finals against Atletico Madrid.
Transfer Window Priorities
With long-term planning in mind, Arsenal is already eyeing the summer transfer window to bolster what many consider Europe's strongest squad. While the defense has been solid, conceding just 24 goals in 32 league games, several attacking positions need reinforcement.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has suggested Arsenal sign a new left-winger to replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, and many analysts advocate for another striker to support Gyokeres. Hargreaves echoes these sentiments, emphasizing that Arsenal should prioritize attacking upgrades.
Nico Paz: The Ideal Target
Hargreaves specifically named Nico Paz, a 21-year-old Argentine international, as a perfect fit for Arsenal. Paz currently plays for Italian side Como, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, after joining from Real Madrid in 2024. Real Madrid reportedly holds an option to re-sign him, but Hargreaves believes Arsenal should act quickly.
On TNT Sports, Hargreaves stated, "There's a young lad at Como, Nico Paz. There's an option for him to go back to Real Madrid, but if I'm Arsenal... This kid – you'll see him at the World Cup. Mikel Arteta will already know that this boy will be a star, and if you don't ask, you don't get. A player like that could suit Arsenal."
Fabregas's High Praise
Fabregas has repeatedly praised Paz since his arrival at Como. In November, he said, "Nico does incredible things. He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment." Last month, he added, "He sees the goal, he is not afraid. Nico enjoys playing, he can play different roles, and he is a very complete player. I see a very, very big potential in him."
Paz is expected to feature in the upcoming World Cup and has also attracted interest from Chelsea, adding urgency to Arsenal's potential pursuit. As the summer transfer window approaches, Arsenal faces competition from both Real Madrid and Chelsea for this promising talent.
