viktor-gyokeres-sporting-primeira-liga
While last season wasn't exactly the most enjoyable of campaigns for Arsenal fans, 25/26 is looking like it could be one to remember.
Just keeping their star players fit and available would be massive in the Gunners' hunt for a Premier League title, but the board appear to be going all out in the transfer window to ensure Mikel Arteta has the best chance of success.
Martin Zubimendi is already through the door for a cool £60m, Noni Madueke has passed his medical, Christian Mosquera is set for his, and some real depth has been added to the squad with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
That's not all, though, as Andrea Berta looks to have finally secured the club a leading number nine in Viktor Gyokeres, and if reports are to be believed, he could soon sign another attacker who's just as exciting.
Arsenal target attacker as exciting as Gyokeres
While there was quite a lot of work that had to be done to improve and reinforce the squad this summer, there is no denying that a new striker was priority number one for Arsenal.
FFC Header Transfer Focus
After all, Arteta's outfit produced the best defence in the league last season, but just the third-best attack, and a distant third at that.
So, it's undoubtedly excellent news that, after weeks of speculation, the club appear to be on the brink of agreeing a deal for Gyokeres, one that will cost them an upfront fee of around £55m.
Gyokeres 2024-25 season in numbers (timeless) (1)
Gyokeres 2024-25 season in numbers (timeless) (1)
The Swedish marksman, who scored 54 goals in 52 games last season, will be a hugely exciting addition to the North Londoners' squad, but he might not be the only one.
At least that is according to BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel, who on the latest episode of the Latte Firm podcast confirmed that "Arsenal are very interested in Rodrygo."
The journalist revealed that the Gunners have "spoken to the relevant parties connected to the player" and, in good news, have received "positive feedback" that he would be open to the move.
However, to get their man, the North Londoners would have to pay up to £80m, but even then, Rodrygo would be worth it, and as exciting a signing as Gyokeres.
Why Rodrygo would be as exciting a signing as Gyokeres
The first thing to note is that, no, Rodrygo has not been anywhere near as prolific as Gyokeres has been over the last two years, but that's an unfair comparison to make, given his position and the competitions he's been playing in.
Other Rodrygo
Other Rodrygo
Moreover, the 24-year-old has still been a dangerous outlet for Real Madrid, as, since the start of the 2023/2024 campaign, the "world-class superstar," as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.
In other words, the former Santos gem is still able to average a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes across the last two years, which is undoubtedly impressive.
Rodrygo's recent record
Season
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Additionally, he has done so while primarily playing out of his preferred left-wing position, and while he'd likely move back there at the Emirates, the fact that he's so accomplished playing off the right or up top is another reason he'd be a tremendously exciting signing.
Finally, while there are some questions over how the Sporting CP star will cope in the biggest of games due to his relative lack of experience playing in truly elite competition, there are no such concerns when it comes to the Brazilian.
FFC in-text wider Rodrygo (1)
FFC in-text wider Rodrygo (1)
Since moving to Madrid, he has won everything there is to win, including two La Liga titles and two Champions League titles.
Moreover, he's not just been a passenger for those victories, as he has a stellar record when it comes to Europe's top competition, scoring 25 goals and providing 14 assists in 64 games.
Ultimately, Gyokeres' absurd goal tally makes him a seriously exciting signing for Arsenal, but Rodrygo's record and experience would make him equally so.