“Bit of magic up front”: Neville backs Álvarez move as final piece for Arsenal’s Champions League push

Gary Neville has called on Arsenal to sign a 'world-class striker' to complete their side.

Arsenal opened their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 win over Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday night.

The North Londoners eased to three points against the newly-promoted side, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard all on target.

Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season, and came within penalty kicks of a first-ever Champions League crown.

After watching the Gunners impress in their opening fixture of the new season, Neville said Arsenal need 'a bit of magic up front' to take them to the next level.

He named Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez as an ideal addition, insisting the Argentina international could help Arsenal take 'the next step and win a Champions League.'

Alvarez had informed Atletico of his desire to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal having made an approach. The 26-year-old has been a leading transfer target for Barcelona, though Atletico have insisted he is not for sale.

“’They’d go the next step and win a Champions League’—Neville says Julian Alvarez is Arsenal’s missing piece”

"What a squad he [Mikel Arteta] has built. If he puts another forward into that. If they could get Julian Alvarez somehow, that would light this place up as you'd have a world-class striker to go with all the world-class defenders and midfielders," Neville said to Sky Sports.

"They wouldn't just become Premier League title winners they'd go the next step and win a Champions League. It's a massive 10 days. He needs a bit of magic up front - someone that can win a game for you when you don't play well."