As the 2025/26 Premier League season draws closer, Arsenal are ramping up their transfer business.
In recent days, the Gunners have moved for Christian Norgaard, adding greater squad depth following the departure of Jorginho and after the struggles the club have had agreeing a new contract with Thomas Partey.
Despite this, most Arsenal fans will still be anxious to see their side bring in attacking reinforcements, the area of the pitch that needs strengthening most.
While the North London club’s interest in Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres is well reported, those affiliated with the Gunners will recognise that at least one more attacker needs to arrive at the Emirates.
Benjamin Sesko in action for RB Leipzig vs Stuttgart
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
To this effect, Mikel Arteta’s side have reportedly enquired about the availability of one Premier League star, although that money might be better spent elsewhere first.
Arsenal should prioritise a wide player with pace before moving for Eberechi Eze
The player in question that Arsenal have been linked with is Eberechi Eze.
As reported by TBR Football, the Gunners have asked Crystal Palace about Eze’s availability this summer.
Interestingly, Bukayo Saka has also reportedly encouraged Eze to join Arsenal, reaching out privately to his compatriot.
Yet, while there is little doubt about the Eagles’ midfielder’s ability – Eze has scored 34 goals in 146 Premier League appearances – Arteta and Andrea Berta would be better served by pursuing a different profile of attacker first.
Specifically, a more dynamic wide player who possesses greater pace should be a priority.
A major issue for Arsenal last season was this lack of pace, especially in attacking transitions after winning the ball back.
While Saka is quick, the only electric attacking player Arsenal currently possess is Gabriel Martinelli.
The club could therefore do with signing another wide player who is happy to play on the shoulder of the last defender, utilising their pace to make constant runs in behind without the ball.
Otherwise, Arteta risks a repeat of the stagnant football that Arsenal played for some of the 2024/25 campaign, a style of play that was often easy to defend against because it was all in front of the opposition’s backline.
Signing Eberechi Eze would hurt the development of Arsenal’s academy products
Another reason why a different profile of attacker should be targeted before Eze is because of the academy players Arsenal already have who are of a similar style to the England midfielder.
Specifically, both Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman fit Eze’s profile, being players who like to drift inside into pockets of space and pick up the ball on the half-turn rather than make runs beyond the opposition’s back four.
Signing Eze would therefore hurt the development of both young stars, particularly Nwaneri, who is already competing with Martin Odegaard and Saka for a starting spot in the Arsenal first team.
Ethan Nwaneri in action for Arsenal vs PSG
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
As such, Arteta and Berta would be better pursuing an out-and-out winger with more dynamism.
Ideally, this player would be Rodrygo. However, despite Arsenal’s interest, Real Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup means Rodrygo won’t be going anywhere until August at the earliest.
Beyond him, Antoine Semenyo is a name the Gunners should look at.
While Bournemouth want more than £60m for Semenyo, he would be a better fit for what Arsenal need.
Whatever business the club does end up doing, it is sure to be an intriguing few months ahead.