Arsenal are riding the crest of a wave in the Premier League, and while the title race hangs in the balance, the scales are tipped toward Mikel Arteta’s side.
Having finished runners-up for three successive seasons, the Gunners have finally leapt ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool, last year’s champions, to stand proud as England’s most powerful and polished outfit.
Hopes of a historic quadruple were dashed before the international break, Man City getting one over the Londoners at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final, but Arsenal are still good value for their money in the league, and with favourable routes in the FA Cup and Champions League.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match
While Arsenal are thriving under Arteta’s wing, something has still been left to be desired in attack, even with Viktor Gyokeres improving after a slow start.
Sporting director Andrea Berta is ready to enforce one of two summer changes.
Arsenal lining up Real Madrid forward
Last summer, Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for £64m, the Swedish striker ending an age-old search for a number nine at the Emirates.
The 27-year-old has scored 11 goals in the Premier League this season, placing him among the higher tallies in the division, but Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed far less success, spending much of the term out on the sidelines.
Recent rumours have suggested that the Brazilian could be on line for an exit, so Arsenal would need to sign a replacement, someone to contrast with Gyokeres.
According to Sports Boom, Arsenal are leading the race to sign Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia on loan for the 2026/27 season. Newcastle United are also interested.
Gonzalo Garcia
Garcia, 22, has impressed for Los Blancos, but his opportunities are understandably limited as Kylian Mbappe stars. As Italian interest grows in Arsenal's Jesus, the hope of striking a deal for a replacement such as Garcia also grow.
Though Real are looking to entertain short-term offers, Arsenal could negotiate a permanent deal down the line, should Garcia make his mark in the English capital.
Why Arsenal want Gonzalo Garcia
Gyokeres has made gains over the course of the campaign, and he may lead the line for a Premier League-winning side by summer.
However, his target man style is not very Arsenal-esque. Olivier Giroud was a big and powerful striker, but endowed with skill and style on the ball.
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates scoring their second goal with Thiago Pitarch, Fran Garcia, Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga
In Garcia, Arsenal could land a versatile forward with “world-class” potential, as has been noted by journalist Zach Lowy after impressing at the Club World Cup in 2025, intelligent and dynamic with his movement and finishing.
After a rich summer tournament, though, Garcia has found chances hard to come by, featuring 23 times in La Liga this season, but only starting six times. Still, he has scored four goals while only missing five big chances, underlining his potential in front of goal.
At Arsenal, he could earn the consistent minutes he has been searching for, having shown what he can do at the Club World Cup.
He has already mastered the art of simplicity, but whereas Gyokeres is a target man, big and brutish, Garcia is happy to play a range of attacking roles, tweaking his approach to counter the specific profile of the oipponent.
Should potential suitors in Serie A act on there interest in Jesus, this is a deal that might just be struck, adding a new forward to Arsenal's strike force, one who fits the Spanish mould that Arteta has sculpted over the past several years and indeed the kind of profile he admires, an "incredible" range of abilities, as remarked by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Arsenal - Top Scorers (25/26)
Player
Viktor Gyokeres
Gabriel Martinelli
Eberechi Eze
Bukayo Saka
Leandro Trossard
Noni Madueke
Though Garcia is still developing as an elite forward, he’s ticking all the right boxes and could grow into his skin in a key player for Arteta.
Of course, the boss will be careful not to overburden his younger countryman, but Gyokeres will provide a welcome contrast next season, and the combination might just pay dividends.
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