Gary Neville believes a ‘world-class forward’ could be the difference for Arsenal in the Champions League (Sky Sports) Gary Neville believes Arsenal will be strong contenders to win the Champions League this season if they sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. Arsenal got their new Premier League campaign off to a flying start on Friday night as goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard sealed a 3-0 win over Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium. Summer signing Christos Tzolis delivered an impressive performance on Arsenal’s left flank but Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his attacking options even further before the end of the summer transfer window. Alvarez is one of Arteta’s top attacking targets, however, Atletico Madrid have been adamant that the Argentine will not be sold this summer. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Neville insists Arsenal are already in a strong position to retain their Premier League title but feels the addition of Alvarez could prove to be the difference to the Gunners’ Champions League campaign this season. ‘What a squad he [Arteta] has built here and if he adds another forward into that then I don’t see how anyone can stop them,’ Neville told Sky Sports. Julian Alvarez has said he wants to leave Atletico Madrid this summer (Getty) ‘We think that Alvarez wants to go to Barcelona but if they could get Alvarez somehow Arsenal, I mean that is going to light this place up because you’ve then got a world-class striker to go with all the world-class defenders and midfield players. ‘And they become, not just Premier League title winners, you then think they can go the extra step and win a Champions League as well. ‘It’s massive this next ten days, he [Arteta] needs that little bit of magic up front that when you don’t play well, they’ll go and win a big game for you. Has he got enough of that? I’m not sure. ‘He [Alvarez] is exceptional on the ball, his understanding of the game is fantastic. I’m being respectful here to Havertz and Gyokeres… but if there was an Ian Wright up front for Arsenal who makes those short runs, he [Odegaard] would be even better. ‘I think because Gyokeres always come to the play and so does Havertz, he [Odegaard] is always playing possession in the final third, rather than playing those slip through passes, which I think could be so dangerous. ‘If Arsenal were to sign Alvarez, I actually think he [Odegaard] would go up a level as well himself as it would be perfect for the style of play. I think he’s a fantastic player. ‘I actually thought when [Eberechi] Eze came in he would take Odegaard’s spot but he looks like he’s re-established himself.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
