Gary Neville thinks there’s a ‘missing piece of the jigsaw’ Arsenal need to sign on deadline day
Arsenal won 1-0 at Villa Park on Monday night.
It’s another clean sheet for Mikel Arteta’s side as they continue their strong start to their title defence.
Including the Community Shield win, that’s now three wins from three across all competitions.
And yet, watching the game, Gary Neville saw something missing.
Gary Neville says Arsenal need a player like Julian Alvarez
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast following Monday night’s victory, the former Manchester United defender gave a verdict that we’re sure many Arsenal fans will agree with.
“You can see why Mikel Arteta has wanted to make a statement signing of Julian Alvarez and spend 120, 130, 140 million, whatever it would be, because he’s an amazing player,” Neville said. “And if they had him, that game tonight is probably two or three nil.
“Gyokeres is a battering ram and they’ll need him at moments during this season. But they haven’t got that difference player that’s up front that can maybe just electrify you and just run away and counter-attack and be blistering. And that’s what they need up there.
"In the biggest moments you just need that something special" ✨
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2026
Gary Neville questions whether Arsenal can win the Champions League without a 'star striker' 🤔 pic.twitter.com/oXWu7BI5t7
“Gabriel Jesus is going to leave. I think he’s left already going to Barcelona, which I think he had it in him to be able to potentially be that player, but he’s never really done it for Arsenal. Martinelli obviously is leaving, he’s on the left side of your play.
“So yeah, I think it’s just that the missing piece of the jigsaw, which I think would make games a lot easier for them.
“So those defenders maybe could just relax a little bit more than they have to, because they have to keep full concentration for 90 minutes all the time, is they just maybe would have that sort of Alvarez type figure, but there’s not many of them around.”
For once I think we can all unambiguously agree with Gary Neville here. Arsenal were so good defensively against Villa. Not once did it look like the Gunners were about to throw away their lead as they held firm late on.
But if they hadn’t broke the deadlock when they did, it could’ve been a struggle for Arsenal to get that winner.
They didn’t blow Villa apart and could well have gone away disappointed with a goalless draw. Clearly they are missing just that special bit of quality in attack. And Arteta himself knows this.
Whether the club can deliver that signing for him remains to be seen. Malick Fofana looks to be the most likely attacking addition through the door on deadline day. But fans will be hoping for more. Namely, Julian Alvarez.
Can Arsenal find that ‘missing piece of the jigsaw’ before 11pm?
