Arsenal really are flying this season.
Sure, they might’ve slipped up here and there in recent months, but Mikel Arteta’s side are currently seven points clear atop the Premier League, top of the Champions League, and have one foot in the League Cup Final.
This really does feel like the season in which the North Londoners are going to get over the line, with the question now being in how many competitions.
arsenal rice gyokeres
However, if Arsenal really want to build a dynasty, they will need to add more attacking talent to the team, which is what they appear intent on doing, as reports link them to someone who could be a perfect Viktor Gyokeres upgrade.
Arsenal target Gyokeres upgrade
It would be fair to say that Gyokeres has had a tough start to life at Arsenal.
He is clearly a talented striker, but the fact that his goal against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago was his first in open play since the game away to Burnley in November is worrying.
Add to that his general clunky manner on the pitch, and it's not hard to see why some fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with the Swedish international.
arsenal gyokeres
Now, he may well come good, but it looks like the club are also considering potential upgrades for him this summer.
At least that is according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, which claims Arsenal are interested in Julian Alvarez.
In fact, the report has revealed that, alongside London rivals Chelsea, the Gunners have held talks with intermediaries about a move for the Atlético Madrid star.
In more good news, the report has also revealed that the Argentine international has made clear that if he were to move back to England, he'd only want to move to the capital.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
A potential price tag is not mentioned in the story, but considering he joined Atlético for around £82m just a year and a half ago, it's unlikely that he'd be allowed to leave for anything less than that.
With all that said, even if it's a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, it's one Arsenal should be all over, as Alvarez is an incredible striker and would be a big upgrade on Gyokeres.
Why Alvarez would be an upgrade on Gyokeres
Now, while there is still every chance that Gyokeres could come good for Arsenal, there is one huge reason why Alvarez would be an upgrade: he’s proven he can thrive in the top five leagues.
atletico-madrid-alvarez
For example, even though he had to play second-fiddle to Erling Haaland, the incredible Argentine was still a hugely important player during his two years at Manchester City.
Across those two campaigns, he scored 36 goals and provided 19 assists in 103 appearances, totalling 6007 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.87 games, or every 109.21 minutes, which is sensational for a back-up.
Julian Alvarez Man City stats (timeless)
Then, as if that wasn’t enough to prove his credentials, the former River Plate gem moved to Spain to become the main man for Atletico, and to say he thrived in his first campaign would be a colossal understatement.
For example, the Calchín-born superstar racked up an unbelievable tally of 29 goals and eight assists in just 57 appearances, totalling 3967 minutes.
That came out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.54 games, or more impressively, every 107.21 minutes and considering that he’s not playing for one of La Liga’s big two, it’s hard to disagree with journalist Roy Neymer's claim that he's one of "the best forward in the world."
That brings us to this season and the first campaign we can compare to Gyokeres, given the fact that they are both now in a top-five league.
Julian-Alvarez-Atletico-Madrid
Unsurprisingly, the former City star comes out on top, even though he is not having the best of seasons: in 28 appearances totalling 2117 minutes, he has scored 11 goals and provided five assists.
That comes out to a reasonable enough average of a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 132.31 minutes.
Alvarez vs Gyokeres in 25/26
Season
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In rather stark contrast, the Gunners’ new number 14 has scored nine goals and provided one assist in 27 appearances, totalling 1770 minutes.
That comes out to a disappointing average of a goal involvement every 2.7 games, or every 177 minutes.
julian-alvarez-argentina
Ultimately, while Gyokeres has perhaps been a little better than some would suggest, it’s clear that Alvarez is the far superior striker.
Therefore, if Arsenal want to build a true dynasty, they need to sign the Argentine international this summer.
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