Andrea Berta has only been in his role as Arsenal's sporting director for a matter of months but he is already faced with one of the most important summer's in the club's recent history.
While injuries, bizarre officiating and a lack of firepower have all contributed to the Gunners' perplexing season, the fact of the matter is they have regressed.
Berta's most expensive transfers (timeless)
Their title challenge petered out in January and although they did go further in Europe, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League, their reason for exiting was the same as last year; they lack players capable of scoring goals.
So, with that in mind, it's just as well Arsenal are signing a midfielder first...
The latest on Arsenal's pursuit of Martin Zubimendi
We jest, of course, but Arsenal are now already on the verge of securing their first major addition of the Berta era.
The Gunners have been hot on the tail of Martin Zubimendi for a while now with reports emerging in January that they were set to get a deal over the line.
Martin-Zubimendi-Oyarzabal
However, the Real Sociedad midfielder has been here before. Liverpool thought they had signed him last summer, only for the Spaniard to stay in LaLiga.
A year on, and it does look as though the 26-year-old will finally be leaving Spain behind with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Saturday that Arsenal have 'agreed a deal' to sign the player this summer, now set to trigger his €60m (£51m) release clause.
It's reported that the midfielder has 'verbally agreed' to sign a long-term deal.
Despite all of that excitement, according to reports, Zubimendi isn't the only player they are working on right now.
Arsenal move closer to striker signing
This weekend has been a pretty frantic one as far as transfer news is concerned, with Arsenal also looking to improve their options in the final third.
While the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak continue to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, it's Viktor Gyokeres who seems to be the most likely at the moment.
FFC Header Transfer Focus
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, according to reports in Portugal, via Sport Witness, Arsenal have 'submitted' their first official offer for the Sporting CP striker, a bid worth €75m (£63m).
It's suggested that fee is unlikely to be accepted with the club's president, Frederico Varandas, believing he can get more for a player with an €100m (£85m) release clause.
Viktor Gyokeres goals by season (timeless)
While that might dampen the spirits of those at Arsenal, there is hope that a deal can be struck with Gyokeres actually having already agreed personal terms with the club.
Why Gyokeres is more exciting and important than Zubimendi
With Jorginho leaving north London behind at the conclusion of his contract and the ageing Thomas Partey yet to pen new terms, signing a new midfielder this summer is actually of utmost importance, particularly one who can play just in front of the defence.
Zubimendi-Partey
It's safe to say that Zubimendi can do that perfectly. It was he who was subbed on for Rodri in last year's European Championship and the fact Spain went on to win it without the Manchester City midfielder on the pitch speaks volumes of how good the Sociedad star was.
During that game, he completed 92% of his passes and won all five of his ground duels. While Zubimendi isn't as physical as someone like Partey, he's very Jorginho-like in his play style. He dictates the game, presses well and rather crucially, would give Declan Rice the freedom to play as the attacking number 8 on a more regular basis.
Jorginho-Arsenal
But, for all the positives of signing Zubimendi, it's Gyokeres who is the most important deal here.
Why? Well, the plain and simple fact is that Arsenal absolutely have to sign a new striker this summer if they want to challenge next season.
Even before Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus got injured over the winter, the Gunners needed more in attack but that has only been made even more obvious over the last few months.
While Leandro Trossard has been used as centre-forward on a few occasions, it's Mikel Merino who's largely been tasked with playing as a makeshift attacker.
To his credit, he's done a solid job, notably scoring against Real Madrid. That was one of six goals he's scored in 11 matches so far up top.
However, it's pretty clear this isn't sustainable and that was made more obvious against PSG. Merino didn't have a poor second leg but time and time again Arsenal put a dangerous ball into the six yard box, only for no one in red and white to be there.
Well, in comparison, Gyokeres is always in the right place at the right time. Previously of Coventry City, where he scored 22 in 50 outings during the 2022/23 campaign, he's only hit another level after moving to Sporting.
Race for European Golden Boot - 2024/25
Player
1. Viktor Gyokeres
2. Mo Salah
3. Harry Kane & Robert Lewandowski
4. Biereth, Mbappe & Retegui
5. Alexander Isak
6. Dembele, Haaland & Marmoush
Stats via Transfermarkt.
The Swedish sensation has been the most profilic forward in Europe during his time in Lisbon, bagging a whopping 43 goals in 50 games last season and finding the net on 52 occasions in another half a century of matches this term.
Very few do it better than Gyokeres and whether or not his profile is the most ideal for Arsenal, perhaps they just need to keep things simple. Arsenal need goals more than anything else and the "monster" striker - as he was described by journalist Alex Turk - does goals.
Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
While Isak - valued at £150m in some circles - is reportedly the dream signing, Gyokeres is more prolific and he's more cost-effective.
Arsenal-Martin-Odegaard (1) Related
Arsenal's £30m dud is very quickly becoming their new Xhaka & Aubameyang
The mercurial Arsenal star looks like a different player this season.