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Ben Foster says Arsenal should’ve actually signed one of Declan Rice’s best friends as their striker in January
Arsenal took the surprising decision of not bringing in a striker during the winter transfer window — a decision that has backfired on them.
Unless Mikel Merino can somehow turn into a goalscorer as Mikel Arteta tests him out up front, the Gunners’ lack of a centre-forward could hurt them in their quests to win the Premier League and the Champions League this season.
But in Arsenal’s latest 1-0 defeat against West Ham United, Merino looked quite isolated up top and perhaps demonstrated to Arteta that playing him as a striker might not be a sustainable experiment.
What might frustrate Arsenal fans is that with them challenging on multiple fronts this campaign, perhaps several number nines would have been keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium before deadline day.
But it seems like the North Londoners will not just settle for any player.
Mikel Arteta would like Alexander Isak at Arsenal but prising the Swede away from Newcastle United will be easier said than done.
Ben Foster says Arsenal should have signed Jarrod Bowen in January
But across the Premier League, there are plenty of forwards who could have slotted into this Arsenal side and had an instant impact.
Leandro Trossard did when he was signed by the Gunners from Brighton & Hove Albion two years ago. Trossard even operated as a false nine at the time and delivered. But this time around, Arsenal chose not to be as inventive in the transfer market.
From Ben Foster’s point of view, Mikel Arteta’s side should have brought Jarrod Bowen in during the winter transfer window to play as a striker.
Ben Foster said on his official YouTube channel: “He would definitely score some goals for Arsenal. I don’t think he’s a top four player. I think he is a one little rung below it. One little rung.”
“Oh, [Bowen would] definitely start up front for Arsenal.”
“It is such a good point because Arsenal fans, if they would’ve signed Jarrod Bowen would’ve gone, yeah, brilliant, that shows that you are invested in our football. The other people would have laughed but Arsenal fans would’ve gone, you know what, fair play to the owners, fair play to Mikel Arteta for thinking out of the box for investing in the rest of the season, you’re not going to give it up, we are investing in a player who now and for the rest of the season will score us 10 to 12 goals.”
When asked how much Arsenal would have had to pay to sign Bowen, Ben Foster replied: “£50 million…£60 million.”
Bowen has been lauded by Jamie Carragher as he has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent goalscorers since signing for West Ham from Hull City. The England international has been one of the Hammers’ standout players, with even Jurgen Klopp hailing Bowen.
Jarrod Bowen record vs Arsenal
Bowen has an excellent record against Arsenal as well, registering five goals and two assists against them in 12 league appearances.
| JARROD BOWEN RECORD VS ARSENAL | ||
| APPEARANCES | GOALS | ASSISTS |
| 12 | 5 | 2 |
Out of these fixtures, the 28-year-old has won three games, drawing three and losing seven. In July last year, Bowen even revealed that Declan Rice remains one of his best friends in football — which perhaps could have meant he settled in quickly at Arsenal.
The Europa Conference League winner said on the ‘Lion’s Den’ show: “And we’ve just continued it [our friendship from West Ham] and even when we’re playing each other, we’re always talking on the pitch and having a laugh.”
“We’re really good pals and we always will be.”