Lineker: Alvarez would be 'game over' for Arsenal's Premier League rivals

Arsenal's title credentials took a dent on Sunday following their first home defeat of the season to Manchester United, leaving them just four points clear at the summit after City and Aston Villa both picked up victories.

The Gunners looked distinctly uncomfortable against their rivals, rarely creating clear-cut opportunities and relying predominantly on set-piece openings to trouble the United defence. It's a concern that hasn't escaped Gary Lineker's notice.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the former striker has pinpointed the exact issue holding Mikel Arteta's side back – and offered a solution that could prove transformative. Lineker believes Arsenal's attacking impotence stems from a lack of clinical finishing, and he's identified a specific target who could remedy the problem entirely.

"They've not got anyone really banging in the goals on a regular basis," Lineker explained. Gabriel Jesus's return to form has yielded the odd goal, but Lineker argues this merely masks a deeper problem. "There was a reason they needed to sign a new No. 9 in the first place," he noted.

While the Brazilian possesses admirable qualities – his work rate, pressing, and occasional goal contributions – Lineker contends Jesus is fundamentally unreliable. "He's a bit streaky – when he's on he's on but when he's off he's a bit of a confidence player," the pundit observed.

Enter Julian Alvarez. The Atletico Madrid forward, valued in the region of £87m, has reportedly caught the attention of both Arsenal and Chelsea as he contemplates a Premier League return. Lineker is convinced the Argentine represents exactly what the Gunners require.

"That is the sort of player you know can handle the big occasion – he's a World Cup winner for crying out late," Lineker declared. "Someone like that at Arsenal would be game over."

The implication is clear: Alvarez's arrival would effectively settle the title race in Arsenal's favour.

Elsewhere, Rio Ferdinand has trained his sights on another member of Arteta's attacking contingent. Bukayo Saka's performance against Manchester United drew criticism from the former United defender, who feels the winger isn't offering sufficient penetration in behind the opposition's defensive line.

"He's the one they always go to but I don't see him running onto anything," Ferdinand observed. He acknowledged that United's shape may have limited the space available for Saka to exploit, though questioned whether this fully explains the winger's subdued showing.

Ferdinand did credit Saka with developing his game in other directions, particularly his ability to operate down the outside. However, he noted a concerning dip in the connection between Saka and Martin Odegaard. "The link-up with Odegaard isn't what it was a year or 18 months ago," Ferdinand remarked.

For Arsenal to maintain their title ambitions, their attacking players must rediscover their rhythm – whether through reinforcement or renewed form remains to be seen.