Arsenal submit £86m bid to signal new striker

When Kai Havertz scored simply six minutes into the Champions League last to present Arsenal the lead, this season simply felt prefer it was meant to be.

For an hour, the Gunners seemed like European winners. Six days on from lifting the Premier League, one other trophy was on the best way.

Properly, that was till Khvicha Kvaratskhelia labored his magic and drew a penalty, one which Ousmane Dembele fired dwelling.

It was a sport that may at all times be remembered for a penalty, however not Dembele’s. With the decisive penalty kick within the shoot-out, Gabriel fired excessive into the group and Arsenal’s goals had been extinguished.

Nonetheless, what a season this was. Their anticipate a Champions League title goes on however for the primary time in 22 years, they’ll name themselves the champions of England.

That is extremely thrilling because the Gunners head right into a switch window the place they may go very massive once more to capitalise on their excessive.

Arsenal submit bid to signal new striker

Talking after the ultimate, Mikel Arteta was understandably distraught with the occasions that had performed out in Budapest however there was one quote specifically that stood out.

Speaking to reporters he mentioned: “We begin to make some crucial choices if we need to attain one other stage. And we’ll have to point out that ambition. We’re greater than able to doing it, however it will demand us to be very, very formidable, very quick and really sensible.”

There’s nothing cryptic about this; Arteta desires most funding if they’re to bridge the hole between them and PSG in Europe.

Arsenal have already overcome the problem of Manchester Metropolis at home stage however their solely two defeats in continental motion over the past yr have been to the 2 time winners.

So, how do you go about bettering? Properly, a brand new striker will surely assist.

Experiences in latest weeks have outlined the membership’s curiosity in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and it could seem they’re now ramping up their curiosity to signal the Argentine.

That is in keeping with Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati who reported this weekend that Arsenal have already submitted their first bid, price £86m plus a participant, to Atleti.

That, nonetheless, is unlikely to be accepted. Amid additional curiosity from Barcelona, the membership Alvarez is allegedly giving precedence to, Atleti have made it recognized they need any charge to eclipse the £104m charge they offered Antoine Griezmann for.

How Julian Alvarez compares to Kai Havertz

Arteta had an infinite name to make for the ultimate on Saturday and that was to determine who began because the striker.

Viktor Gyokeres ended the marketing campaign as Arsenal’s prime scorer with 21 objectives in all competitions however it was not the Swede who began. As a substitute, it was the person for the large event, Havertz.

The German was the lone goalscorer when Chelsea gained the ultimate again in 2021 and Arteta’s name was vindicated simply six minutes in when Havertz raced away from the PSG backline and fired excessive into the roof of the web to present Arsenal the lead.

That mentioned, Havertz just isn’t a ruthless centre-forward. Gyokeres has him trumped so far as goalscoring is worried. In relation to construct up play, the previous is healthier.

It makes the 2 of them precious to the squad. Having two very totally different choices allows Arsenal to place collectively totally different plans for the make up of their ahead line.

Nevertheless, if Arteta’s aspect are going to succeed in that subsequent stage, an elite quantity 9 is required. That is the place Alvarez comes into the equation.

As soon as celebrated because the “greatest centre ahead on this planet” by South American journalist Roy Nemer, he could effectively have been surpassed by Harry Kane and Co since these feedback however he nonetheless a “monster” within the phrases of Argentine reporter Pablo Gonzalez.

In 2024/25, his debut marketing campaign at Atleti, he netted 29 objectives. This season, he bagged 20. To place these numbers into context, they’re higher than Havertz has ever achieved throughout the course of a season.

His greatest haul at Arsenal was 15 which got here final season whereas the most effective of his profession was again in 2018/19 with Leverkusen when he netted 20 in 42 matches.

But, what actually separates Alvarez from the strikers already at Arsenal is his total play. Like one thing of an Alexis Sanchez, this can be a participant who thrives as extra of a false 9 participant.

The 26-year-old loves scoring objectives however he is additionally an incredible creator. He registered ten assists in all competitions this time period and amassed 13 in his last marketing campaign with Manchester Metropolis.

One of many causes Arteta has favoured Havertz within the massive moments over Gyokeres this season is his mixture play. The ball sticks to him extra recurrently and his link-up play is great. But, Alvarez is even higher in that regard.

The World Cup winner ranks inside the prime 9% of strikers in Europe’s prime 5 leagues for anticipated risk within the build-up phases of play. Gyokeres ranks within the worst 20% and Havertz ranks within the prime 50%.

Whereas Alvarez has been fielded as extra of an out-and-out striker within the Spanish capital, he is greater than comfy at dropping deep and would signify the perfect improve on Arsenal’s present ahead choices.

After a season by which they gained the league and completed as runners-up within the Champions League last, now just isn’t the time to face nonetheless. Josh Kroenke and Co should go massive once more to essentially ram dwelling the momentum they’ve constructed up in the previous few years.