Arsenal legend Ian Wright says that a “quality” player who the club let go really should be in Mikel Arteta’s first team right now, with the pundit “surprised” by just how well he’s doing away from the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal short of forwards after key injuries
A story of Arsenal’s season has been their shortage of key forwards, after serious, long-term injuries to the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.
"Now" – BBC journalist shares Bukayo Saka return twist out of Arsenal
The England star has been out since before Christmas.
ByEmilio GalantiniMar 28, 2025
Jesus could even be out of action until 2026, after the Brazilian ruptured his ACL against Man United in the FA Cup, while Havertz’s hamstring injury has ruled him out for the rest of this season.
Some good news for Arteta is that Saka has returned to training and could even feature against Fulham next week, subject to an evaluation by medics, but their shortage of attacking players has even forced midfielder Mikel Merino into an emergency forward role.
Fulham (home)
April 1st
Everton (away)
April 5th
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 26th
While rumours are surrounding the club’s pursuit of a new striker this summer, there are those who wonder whether they should’ve sold young centre-forward Mika Biereth.
The 22-year-old, who Arsenal let go for just £4 million, is enjoying the season of his life. Biereth is currently one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, boasting an excellent 25 goals from 37 appearances across spells at both Sturm Graz and Monaco.
Monaco signed Biereth from Sturm Graz in a £12.5 million deal midway through the campaign, with the Denmark international bagging three separate hat-tricks for them already.
Ian Wright says Mika Biereth should be a first teamer for Arsenal right now
Now, commenting on the “quality” in-form young striker, Wright has suggested that Arsenal made a mistake letting Biereth leave.
“His obsession with scoring goals. He doesn’t care how they go in, he just wants to score. That will always drive and motivate him,” said Wright, in an interview with Get French Football News.
“I have been surprised. Not that I doubt his ability, but normally you give players time to adapt to different structures and new opposition. He has that bit of surprise though, opposition won’t be too familiar with him either. The big test is if he can keep it up once the league is familiar with his game. I’m incredibly proud of him, it’s an amazing record so far and long may it continue. He’s also contributing to the team as a whole. He keeps friends from every club he plays for. That’s the type of character he is.
“If I’m honest it must’ve been something with the plans Arsenal had. Mika should’ve been in and around it at the moment. One of our chats early on was about him showing himself in the preseason for Arsenal and giving it his best go. But he had the bravery to go to Scotland, then Austria and now France and that is what shows he wants to be the best! He has to be playing to prove that. His record speaks for itself. It’s disappointing for Arsenal but on a human level, I’m delighted for him.”
If Biereth continues to build upon his electric form, Monaco will be able to demand far more than the £4 million authorised by Arsenal to let him leave. His value appears set to skyrocket, and given the plethora of shortages in attack, Arteta could really use a player of his ilk right now.
