Arsenal is back in a fierce competition with Manchester City to win the Premier League after faltering towards the conclusion of the last year. Even if the Gunners have the most goals in the league, it is clear that they might have scored even more often if they had a more effective striker. Due to their unsatisfactory finishes, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah’s performances have left Arteta considering possible replacements.
Encouraged by the offensive skills of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka, Arsenal understands how important it is to sign a top-tier striker in order to take their game to the next level and win league titles like the Premier League and Champions League. A deadly finisher would enhance their artistic abilities and give them the advantage they need to consistently secure silverware.
But, signing a top attacker frequently entails a high price tag and a large financial commitment. This piece explores three possible targets that Arsenal ought to give priority to during the forthcoming summer transfer window. All three hold the potential to increase the Gunners’ offensive strength and improve their prospects of contending at the top level.
3 strikers Arsenal should target in the summer
#3 Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic was on Arteta’s shortlist last year.
During the January 2023 transfer window, Dusan Vlahovic decided to leave Fiorentina, and Mikel Arteta showed a strong desire to bring the striker to Arsenal. In the end, though, Vlahovic decided to sign with Juventus.
In a season where Juventus struggled to reach the back of the net, scoring just 47 league goals, the 24-year-old has nevertheless managed to collect over 20 goals and offer more than five assists, despite not exactly lighting up Serie A with spectacular displays.
Although there is no denying Vlahovic’s talent, it remains unclear if Juventus will allow him to leave after he has failed to win the Serie A title for two seasons in a row.
However, Vlahovic’s purchase will be very beneficial to Arsenal. Should discussions succeed, the Gunners would find him appealing due to his commanding physical presence, skill in the air, and clinical finishing.
The possibility that Arteta will rekindle his interest in Vlahovic is fascinating, especially in light of the striker’s choice to join Juventus in the previous season. Watching Arsenal’s pursuit of Vlahovic over the forthcoming transfer window may prove to be an interesting story.
#2 Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres has impressed at Sporting CP.
After joining Sporting CP last summer, Viktor Gyokeres has become quite the star. The Swedish striker’s path to success begins with his early years in England, where he developed his talents even if he did not play a major role for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
Gyokeres gained invaluable experience with loan stints at FC Saint Pauli, Swansea City, and Coventry City, where he scored 11 goals in 59 games. Even though he only scored three goals in his brief tenure at Coventry City, the team saw his potential and signed him to a permanent deal in 2021.
Gyokeres’s successive seasons in the Championship demonstrated his developing skill. He scored 18 goals in 47 games in his first season, and he scored 22 goals in 50 games in his second season. Gyokeres made a big jump to the Portuguese top flight, but he has performed well above expectations, scoring 41 goals and dishing out 15 assists in 47 games this season. Five goals in the Champions League are included in this.
Several teams have taken notice of his remarkable exploits; Arsenal is supposedly one of his suitors. It is unclear, though, if they would agree to pay Sporting CP’s reported £86 million asking price. However, Gyokeres’ breakthrough season in the European league may make it easier for him to leave the team in order to pursue a greater degree of career advancement.
#1 Alexander Isak
Will Isak move to Emirates?
Alexander Isak has emerged as a standout striker in the Premier League since his switch from Real Sociedad in 2022. The Swedish dynamo has ignited the attack for the Tyneside club, netting an impressive 20 goals and providing a crucial assist in just 27 league appearances this season.
However, despite the emergence of Kai Havertz in a false 9 role at Arsenal, the need for a potent traditional striker like Isak remains palpable. His lethal finishing, adept link-up play, and unwavering composure in front of goal underscore Arsenal’s urgent requirements in the transfer market, especially with Gabriel Jesus struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The upcoming transfer window promises to be intriguing as Arsenal contemplate a substantial investment of at least £100 million to secure Isak’s services. Yet, if Mikel Arteta believes in the transformative impact Isak can bring to the team, hesitation should be cast aside.
Isak’s potential move to the Emirates seems a natural progression, given Arsenal’s upward trajectory under Arteta’s stewardship in recent years. With Arsenal vying for top honors in the Premier League and eyeing a deep run in the Champions League, Isak’s arrival could seamlessly elevate their attacking prowess.
In summation, Isak’s blend of skill, adaptability, and goal-scoring prowess align perfectly with Arsenal’s ambitions. His integration into the squad would likely be seamless, making him the missing piece in Arsenal’s quest for silverware.