Legendary midfielder Patrick Vieira believes Arsenal should sign Aston Villa star Jhon Duran, with the striker exactly what the Gunners are missing.

Arsenal have made a decent start to the new Premier League season, but their 2-2 draw against second-placed Liverpool last weekend It means they are now five points behind leaders and defending champions Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished last season just two points behind Man City as they battled for the Premier League title until the final day and Arsenal will hope to do the same again this year.

However, during the summer it was surprising that the Gunners failed to sign a new striker after RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko decided to sign a new contract rather than move to the Emirates Stadium.

The signing of Mikel Merino has meant that Kai Havertz can spend more time as the main striker, rather than in midfield, while Gabriel Jesus offers the substitute option.

Pundits and former players have often commented that Arsenal will need a clinical centre-forward to beat Man City or another team to the Premier League title with multiple names linked.

And former Arsenal midfielder Vieira is interested in his former club signing Duran from Aston Villa, who is having a brilliant season at Villa Park.

The 20-year-old has scored eight goals in 14 appearances in all competitions, but only three of them have been in Unai Emery’s starting XI as he fights for a place in the starting XI.

Durán was particularly impressive against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last month, when the Colombian came off the bench to score the only goal of the game.

“I loved his performance against Bayern Munich,” Vieira said. bettingexpert.com.

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“He is the right player for Arsenal: fast, unselfish, solid in the air, technically skilled and intelligent in his movements.”

Vieira added: “The question is whether Arsenal can achieve their goals with a genuine goalscorer or a false number 9.

“Havertz has performed well since the start of the season and has the potential to fill that role.

“But as Manchester City have shown, having a pure striker like Haaland makes winning games easier.”

On Arteta’s work since returning as manager in 2019, Vieira continued: “I am delighted that Mikel can work calmly and has the opportunity to make a long-term commitment.

“The really interesting thing is that it has restored energy to all areas of the club.

“The players give the impression that they are giving everything for their club and their coach, and that is a fundamental factor.

“There is a specific culture in the Arsenal game that must be respected and Mikel seems capable of restoring it.”