Cole's Ekitike Claim: The Striker Arsenal Should Have Signed as Wenger Backs Gunners for Glory

Arsenal have been told they missed a golden opportunity by not pursuing Hugo Ekitike in the summer transfer window, as the Liverpool forward has flourished while Viktor Gyokeres has endured a stuttering first season at the Emirates.

The Gunners' title aspirations took a significant dent on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. With Pep Guardiola's side holding a game in hand against Burnley on Wednesday—which could see them move top on goal difference—Arsenal now face the prospect of finishing runners-up for a fourth straight campaign.

Despite investing approximately £250m on fresh talent last summer, including the high-profile arrival of Gyokeres from Sporting CP, the Swedish striker has struggled to convince. Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kai Havertz alongside Martin Odegaard against City rather than deploy Gyokeres as a traditional number nine has reignited debate about whether the club got their recruitment right.

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has waded into the discussion, suggesting the Gunners would be in a considerably stronger position had they pursued Ekitike instead. Speaking on The Dressing Room Podcast, Cole argued that Gyokeres could prove to be a costly misstep if Arsenal's season ends without silverware.

"If they don't win anything, that signing looks wrong," Cole reflected. He highlighted Arteta's apparent reluctance to trust Gyokeres in the biggest moments, noting that the manager deployed two attacking midfielders at the Etihad rather than a focal point up front. "When you're at top clubs playing the big games, you start your strongest eleven. He simply doesn't appear to view Gyokeres as that player."

Cole did offer some mitigation for Gyokeres, suggesting another season might be needed for the forward to adapt to English football. Nevertheless, he remains convinced that Ekitike—who has impressed at Anfield this term—would have delivered the title already.

Not everyone shares such pessimism about Arsenal's chances. Arsene Wenger, speaking at a ProjectTwinning fundraiser at Abbey Road Studios, insisted the Gunners will still claim the crown. The former manager pointed to the quality in Arsenal's attacking ranks and expressed confidence that Manchester City will slip up during the run-in.

"I deeply believe Arsenal will win the league. It's common sense to me," Wenger declared. He singled out the attacking prowess of Odegaard, Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Noni Madueke, expressing doubt that City can maintain a flawless finish to the season.