Arsenal have been warned that Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus could cost them the Premier League title this season. 

The Gunners have come agonisingly close to ending their title drought over the past two seasons, finishing five points behind Manchester City in 2022-23 and just two off Pep Guardiola's side last season. 

Mikel Arteta's side will look to go one better this season, and end what would be a 21-year wait since they last lifted the Premier League trophy.

However, former Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop fears the wait might go on unless they sign a new striker. 

He told ESPN: 'It really comes down to Arsenal's attacking options. While Havertz popped up at times, popped up at key moments in key games with goals, I am just not sold on Havertz as a striker to lead a team to win the Premier League. 

Mikel Arteta has been warned that he will need to improve his striking options if they are to win the title

‘I feel the same about Gabriel Jesus, who I thought started wonderfully well when he first joined Arsenal. But because of injuries it waned.

‘There is still that department to be addressed. Mikel Arteta is right, margins are really thin, especially when you consider just how good Manchester City continue to be.

‘There’s still work to be done at Arsenal because they’ve just come up short despite how good they are.’

Arsenal have lacked a striker who possesses the ruthless finishing that Man City have in Erling Haaland, as the Norwegian forward has scored 63 goals in 66 games across their last two title winning seasons. 

The Gunners to their credit though shared the goals around last season, netting 91 times in 38 Premier League games, with Bukayo Saka, Havertz and Leandro Trossard all hitting double digits. 

Jesus struggled for goals last season, scoring just four goals in 27 Premier League appearances.

Arsenal had held interest in Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted 14 goals in 31 games last season.

However, the 21-year-old opted to sign a new contract to extend his stay with RB Leipzig. 

They are also said to be interested in signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, who netted a stunning 43 goals in all competitions last season for the Portuguese side.