Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta would want to strengthen his team’s attacking options before next season
Arsenal are expected to be largely active in the upcoming summer transfer window before the 2025-2026 Premier League season begins. As per reports, the English club is on the lookout for an out-and-out striker who could enhance their chances of challenging for titles next season.
Despite the present attacking players, especially those in the wider areas of the pitch churning up good numbers since the start of the 2023-2024 season, a specialised striker’s void could still be felt at Arsenal.
As per ‘Teamtalk’, transfer market expert ‘Fabrizio Romano’ has hinted that the Gunners are likely to sign a winger and a striker in the upcoming transfer window. Romano touched on Arsenal’s transfer plans for the attacking areas of the pitch on his Here We Go podcast.
Fabrizio Romano reportedly quoted – “For sure they will back Mikel Arteta this summer. A new number nine WILL arrive. A new winger WILL arrive.” Other than that, he also touched upon other areas where Arteta’s side could look to strengthen. “In the midfield, I expect movement because Jorginho is going to Flamengo and they’re negotiating a new deal with Thomas Partey.”
The transfer market expert also pointed out that as far as the centre-back position is concerned, the North-London club are likely to ‘take their time’ before opening talks with Real Madrid’s target William Saliba for a new contract.
However, when one looks at Arsenal closely and tries to sum up their 2024-25 season, what really captures your imagination is – can they really compete for major titles without an out-and-out number nine who is a consistent goal scorer? This is where players like Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko come into the picture. Especially with Matheus Cunha now looking likely to join Man United from next season, marking Arsenal out of the race for the Wolves forward. The Gunners are now being heavily linked with both Gyokeres and Sesko.
Arsenal transfer targets Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have had a stunning 2024-25 season
Viktor Gyokeres has 38 goals and 8 assists to his name in 32 matches so far for Sporting CP in Liga Portugal‘s 2024-25 season. The Swedish striker is averaging over a goal per game in the top tier of Portuguese club football.
On the other hand, Benjamin Sesko also had a productive 2024-25 campaign for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. The Slovenian forward has caught eyes with his 18 goal contributions (13 goals and 5 assists) for Leipzig in the top-flight of German football’s 2024-25 season.
In the UEFA Champions League this season, both Gyokeres and Sesko have also been scoring goals for their respective sides. While Gyokeres has 6 goals in 8 UCL appearances, Sesko has 4 goals to his name in a similar number of appearances as his Portuguese counterpart. [Stats via: Transfermrket]
A reliable striker could boost Arsenal’s hopes of challenging for major titles next season
When one looks at Arsenal’s attacking options, all seems settled except for a missing piece of the puzzle in the form of a reliable number 9.
Arteta does have star wingers to play on both sides of the pitch in the form of players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard. But players like Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino have been playing/filling that central striker or false nine role, as the Gunners didn’t have an out-and-out striker to operate at that part of the pitch effectively.
In the quest to fulfil their aim to challenge for the Premier League and UCL titles next season, Arsenal do need to solidify a prolific striker into their playing eleven.
One can only imagine how a player like Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko can turn a game on its head for Mikel Arteta’s side while feeding on the service from the midfield and the wide areas that consist of names like Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, and Martinelli.
