Arsenal must splash out on Alvarez and bolster key areas, insists Richards

Micah Richards believes Arsenal have the platform to dominate English football, but only if they get their summer recruitment spot on.

The Gunners finally ended their 22-year Premier League title drought last month, celebrating their coronation with a parade through north London. However, their bid for a continental double fell flat in Budapest when Paris Saint-Germain edged them out 4-3 on penalties in the Champions League final on Saturday.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the former Manchester City defender outlined exactly what Mikel Arteta's side need to push on from here.

"The pressure is off Arsenal a bit now but the recruitment is going to be key because they've already got a really good squad," Richards said.

The 36-year-old identified three specific areas where the north London outfit must strengthen. First up: the striking department. "I think they need another striker," he explained. "Kai Havertz is outstanding technically and Viktor Gyokeres has done well in his first season. But if they could get someone like Julian Alvarez, that would just give Arsenal something different. He's one of the best strikers in world football and he's already won a World Cup with Argentina."

Alvarez, currently at Atletico Madrid following his £82m move from Manchester City in 2024, has caught the eye of several suitors this summer. Barcelona have tabled a €100m offer, though Atletico are holding out for €150m (£120m).

Richards also flagged up the need for reinforcements in midfield and on the left wing. "They also need another left-winger and another centre midfielder," he continued. "Christian Norgaard has worked to a certain degree in terms of his temperament and Myles Lewis-Skelly has shown he can do a job. But to get the best out of someone like Martin Zubimendi you need to be a little bit higher so he can get on the ball and dictate the game.

"Maybe they can get someone else in midfield alongside Rice who is more box to box, more energetic and aggressive. If they get that, a new striker and another winger, they can compete for the next two, three, four years – that's how good I think they can be."

Meanwhile, Arsenal appear to be preparing for an overhaul, with four players potentially heading for the exit. Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Ben White could all leave the Emirates this summer, according to reports. Jesus, aged 29, has been told he can depart if a club meets the £18m asking price, despite previously being ready to commit his future to the club.