Alan Smith discusses Arsenal's rumoured interest in Gyökeres & Saka's return from injury

So, our testers excited is former Arsenal striker Alan Smith. Let's find out if he is. Good to see you, Alan, as always. Look, he was pretty bullish, wasn't he, about Arsenal's summer plans. How big, though, do they need to go if they are to be winners and not challengers? Yeah, I mean, he's talking about the final step, Vicky, isn't he? And that final step's always the hardest and, as he insinuated there, the most expensive. Probably, in this case, because they need a top-class centre-forward and they don't come cheap, as we know. That is the missing jigsaw piece, I think, in the puzzle. But also, as he said again, he wants to increase the quality of the squad in terms of numbers when you're fighting on several fronts. And we've seen with a few injuries that they have suffered. They haven't had a strong enough squad. But yeah, it's all about that centre-forward, really, or most of it is about that centre-forward and who they're going to get. Yeah, I mean, there are reports, of course, that they've got this strong interest in sporting striker Viktor Gorkaresh. Is he the man they need, do you think, to take them to that next level? I think he's the sort of profile, yeah. He's young. He's obviously scoring goals very regularly for Sporting Lisbon. So, you would imagine that kind of profile, age group, is what Arsenal would be after. Getting in might be a little bit more difficult. I think we all thought when Ruben Amirin went to Manchester United, oh, he'll be going to Old Trafford as well to join his old manager. And, you know, I think the landscape's changed on that one, with Manchester United not being in the Champions League. So, that might open things up for Arsenal a little bit. But I'm sure they've got not just one target, but two or three, perhaps, if the first one breaks down. But yeah, they know they've got to get their act together in the summer. Yeah, let's explore that a bit, because obviously they've confirmed Andrea Berta, haven't they, as their new sporting director. Big shoes to fill, you'd have to say, with Edu going prior to Christmas. You know, is that priority, finding a top-class striker? And when they say they're going to spend big, should they go all out for it and try and sign Alexander Isak? Yeah, I mean, I'm not sure about Isak in terms of his position at Newcastle and whether Newcastle would want to sell to a rival. Obviously, financially, they don't have to, although with PSR and the like, you never quite know. I mean, yeah, he'd fit in at the Emirates, no question about it. Technically, he's such a good player, as well as being such a great goalscorer. So yeah, the Arsenal fans would welcome him. But yeah, I mean, the new man, Andrea Berta, it's going to be fascinating to see how he does his business, who he brings in to the football club. I'm sure even before signing on the dotted line at Arsenal, he knows who he would like. And there's all sorts of targets out there. He's got great contacts. I think his emphasis at Atleti, Vicky has always kind of heard on the side of strikers, you know, and he's had a lot of success, not always, but the likes of Griezmann, who he brought to the club. Samu now, the young lad, the 20 year old who's gone to Porto and pulling up trees hasn't always been successful. Joe Felix, he brought in for over a hundred million and that fell flat on its face. But yeah, he's highly experienced and Atleti will be, you know, shifting it over to you. Yeah, see who you can bring in to take that extra step for Arsenal. Is there anyone you've got your eye on and you think, hang on a minute, he'd really suit Arsenal and he'd come in, hit the ground running and get them these trophies that they really need? Well, I think when you're talking about coming into a top Premier League club, it always helps if you know the league and the standards of what's expected. So I mean, Isak obviously is somebody that wouldn't need much adjustment, Vicky. But, you know, getting him out of St James' Park might be a bit harder. George Kourosh has played in the Championship for Coventry. So, you know, the physical aspect, I don't think would be too difficult for him. So for me, those two would be top of the shopping list, I think. Will this put more pressure, though, on Arteta, do you think, you know, if they do spend big that mean they have to win a trophy next season? Well, yeah, I mean, the pressure's been on him, but it would ramp up a good few notches if they spend 100 plus on a striker and it doesn't happen. As I said, most of the other pieces are in place, need a little bit more strength in depth. But yeah, he knows the situation. Been there five years, finished second three times on the try. Looks like being there. So yeah, it sounds like they've got good money to spend. You know, he wouldn't be so bullish in his press conference talking about going big if he knew he hadn't got the funds. So, you know, all eyes on Arsenal in the summer. Yeah, absolutely right. Look, obviously, they're 12 points behind Liverpool in the title race. They could close the gap tonight, though. They do have Bukaya Saka as well available against Fulham. But how carefully do they need to really manage his time, obviously, with Real Madrid coming out? Yeah, of course, I'll be careful. He's one of the jewels in the crown, isn't he, Saka? Great to have him back. He'll give the dressing room a lift. And yeah, you wouldn't want to ask too much of him too soon. He's been out, what, three months. So if he, if he starts against Fulham tonight, then the trip to Everton on Saturday, maybe Arteta would bring him out, maybe put him on the bench, give him 10, 15 minutes to the end. Who knows? But yeah, obviously, the Real Madrid game now looming in the near distance is a huge one for the Gunners, and they need Saka in that starting 11 when they do face the Spanish champions. It's funny, the record with or without Saka is actually surprisingly similar. But obviously, it's clear to see from everyone he's such a big miss, isn't he, in the attacking areas. In your opinion, is he their most important player right now? Well, I think going forward now, he probably is, you know, Martin Ogar, the captain has always been important, but you look at his goal return this season and his assist, and it has been a disappointment. Saka obviously can always get you a goal. He's got a really good scoring record. And also what he gives that attack in terms of attracting defenders, creating space for others. And he would help Odegaard certainly in terms of freeing up a little bit of space, and they've got a good relationship together as well. So definitely in an attacking sense, obviously the defenders, you know, Gabriel and Saliba are really important for that solidity at the back. But yeah, it would be such a boost to have Saka back in that starting 11. Obviously, they're rivals for the title if plenty are still believing that Arsenal are still just in it, Liverpool. Arnaud Slot not giving too much away today when he was asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold. Do you think all this attention on him is a bit of a distraction as Liverpool are looking to wrap this title up? A little bit, maybe Vicky, a little bit. And interestingly said, you know, he's got nothing to add. I think he wants to take the focus away from Alexander-Arnold because obviously there's been a fan reaction to the reports that he's going to join Real Madrid. So I'm not all that pleased with it. The fact that he may well leave on a three. And it'd be interesting the reaction he gets Alexander-Arnold when he does return to that side with booze in the stadium. And I think that would be a great shame. But, you know, that obviously upsets things a little bit, but certainly not enough to derail Liverpool's title challenge. You know, I think I think they're going to do it fairly comfortably, but, you know, he's just one of three, isn't he, whose futures are uncertain at the moment. But yeah, that Real Madrid link, you know, you look on social media, you see the reaction of some Liverpool fans. So when he does play again, it will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets. Alan, you've been a player yourself. Do you think it's fair that some of the players, some of the fans are dishing out against Trent Alexander-Arnold? Or do you think it's a sort of natural progression? Real Madrid come calling, you answer the call. Oh, blimey. I mean, listen, how can you deny him a move like that? Any professional footballer would jump at that, apart from some that have played for Barcelona maybe for a time. But listen, he's won the league. He's won the Champions League at his hometown club. He gets the offer from Real Madrid at this stage in his career. You've got to take it. And, you know, supporters, it's very one-eyed view of the game. But for those with a wider perspective, they must be able to see that this is a chance that you've just got to grab with both hands. His mate Jude Bellingham's there, and I'm sure they've spoken a lot about what's on offer in Madrid, the lifestyle as well as the football. I mean, I would have loved to have played for there, given up a chance. So you cannot blame him at all. Yeah, I hear you. Look, Pep Guardiola is going to give us an update on Erling Haaland's injury later this hour, which is going to be live on Sky. How much does that damage, though, Manchester City's chances of securing the Champions League place and winning the trophy if he's out for the rest of the campaign, do you think? Well, yeah, it's a blow, isn't it? I mean, maybe particularly in the league. What are they? It's very tight there, isn't it? They're a point ahead of Newcastle, who are in sixth. So we think the top five are going to get a Champions League place. So they're in a position now where you'd feel, you know, they should win a Champions League spot. But without the number nine, it just complicates things a little bit. But Omar Mahmoud, the new lad has come in and done well. He got the winner at Bournemouth in the FA Cup at the weekend. So listen, they've got enough, I think, to get into that top, into that top five. I really believe that, with or without Haaland. Yes, it is a blow, but I think they'll have enough. OK, lots of talk over the international break and Rumin Amiran has ruled out that Bruno Fernandes will leave Manchester United, with reports Real Madrid are also interested in him. Do you feel that United need to build a team around the captain? What do you think there? Yeah, I mean, the way Amiran's talking, you can obviously see he's desperate not to lose his captain. And why would you be? He's Manchester United's best player. And he delivers week in, week out with goals, assists, just leadership, really. So it'll be interesting, to be honest with you. Manchester United certainly aren't going to be playing Champions League football unless they win the Europa League. And they might well do that. But for a player of his age, 30 years of age now, he's thinking, well, I've got to make the most of my career now. And I want to be playing at the very top level. Obviously, Manchester United is still a huge football club, but they're not competing at the top at the moment. So, you know, maybe Real Madrid once again will have the same things. But they've got him under contract there. And yeah, it would be a massive blow to Amiran if he did kind of agitate for a move and he became unhappy and he made things awkward because they do. And they have depended so much. Yeah, he's been key, hasn't he? Always lovely to talk to you. Thanks ever so much for joining us, Alan. Thanks, Vicky.