Jimmy Bullard has urged Arsenal to sign Yaya Toure after the Ivorian’s recent falling out with Manchester City.
The midfielder, who has three years left on his current contract, was said to be “very upset” after accusing the City hierarchy of a lack of respect on his 31st birthday.
Toure was named on the PFA Premier League team of the year after emulating Frank Lampard and becoming the second midfielder in English top-flight history to reach 20 goals in a single campaign.
It has definitely taken a lot of pressure off them. I think you’ll see Arsenal grow slowly now
Jimmy Bullard
And former Fulham midfielder Bullard, who has just released his autobiography called ‘Bend It Like Bullard’, believes Arsenal should try to sign Toure and a top striker in the same mould as Sergio Aguero to build a squad capable of winning the title.
“They need a top striker – someone with speed up top,” Bullard told The Sport Review.
“There are so many out there at the minute. Someone like Sergio Aguero, he’s been immense. Toure has the hump with Manchester City now, so they might be able to get him.”
Wales international Aaron Ramsey scored a dramatic winner in extra time to seal a 3-2 victory over Hull City in the FA Cup final and end Arsenal’s nine-year trophy drought last weekend.
And Bullard believes the Gunners will be under less pressure next season following the cup triumph and backed Arsene Wenger to grow the north London side slowly over the coming years.
“They’ve definitely got to spend some money to live with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City,” Bullard added.
“I do think it [FA Cup] has taken a lot of pressure off them. They’ve won a trophy and it had been a few years – well, longer than a few!
“But it has definitely taken a lot of pressure off them. I think you’ll see Arsenal grow slowly now.”
He added: “They haven’t won a trophy in a long time. They’ve a lot of young boys there, so let them go and enjoy it.”
‘Bend It Like Bullard by Jimmy Bullard, out now – priced £16.99’