Owen Hargreaves urges Arsenal to sign former Real Madrid star ahead of Chelsea

Owen Hargreaves has sent a transfer message to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Owen Hargreaves has urged Arsenal to bolster Mikel Arteta ’s attacking options in the summer and believes a former Real Madrid forward would be an ideal target for the Gunners.

Arteta’s side have moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League despite only Viktor Gyokeres scoring more than six goals in the competition.

Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces has been criticised by a number of pundits and even by some within the Premier League, including Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler .

The Gunners won’t care one bit if the tactics lead to a first Premier League title since 2004, however, with Arsenal nine points ahead of second-placed Manchester City going into the business end of the season.

Arsenal were hoping to win their first trophy since 2020 at Wembley last weekend but were beaten 2-0 by title rivals Man City in the Carabao Cup final .

Despite that setback Arteta’s side are still on the verge of a sensational season as they target a long-awaited Premier League title and eye deep runs in both the Champions League and FA Cup.

Given the level of planning at the club, one eye will already be on the summer transfer window and the chance to strengthen a squad that has been hailed as the strongest in Europe.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal’s back-five looks incredibly settled, conceding just 22 goals in 31 Premier League games, but several attacking positions could be looked at by Arteta.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard recently urged Arsenal to sign a new left-winger to replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard , while several pundits want to see another striker signed to replace Gyokeres .

Hargreaves also believes it is in the attacking areas that Arsenal should prioritise in the summer transfer window, naming Nico Paz as an ideal target.

Como star and ex-Real Madrid forward Nico Paz (Picture: Getty)

Argentina international Paz is currently thriving under ex-Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Italian side Como, having signed from Real Madrid in 2024.

Spanish giants Madrid are believed to have the option to re-sign Paz but Hargreaves has urged Arenal to launch a move for the 21-year-old, who looks set to feature at this summer’s World Cup and has also been linked with fellow Premier League giants Chelsea .

Asked about possible Arsenal summer signings, Hargreaves said on TNT Sports : ‘There’s a young lad at Como, Nico Paz.

@metrosportuk He HAS to go blud… right? 🤔 Arsenal fans give their verdict on whether their manager, Mikel Arteta, will still be at the North London outfit if they do NOT win any trophies this season from the position they’re in. #mikelarteta #arsenal #footballfans #premierleague #trophy ♬ original sound – Metro Sport

‘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.’

Premier League legend Fabregas has repeatedly heaped praise on Paz since he joined Como from Real Madrid.

‘Nico does incredible things,’ Fabregas said back in November. ‘He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment.’

Speaking just last week, meanwhile, Fabregas said: ‘He sees the goal, he is not afraid.

‘Nico enjoys playing, he can play different roles and he is very complete player. I see a very, very big potential in him.’

Arsenal return to action after the international break with a FA Cup quarter-final against Championship side Southampton .