At a Glance:
Micah Richards suggests Arsenal to sign top-class striker.
Richards believes Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres are upgradable.
Erling Haaland has praised the Arsenal target already.
Another season has passed and Arsenal’s striking department continues to divide opinion amongst fans and pundits alike.
Viktor Gyokeres seemed like the Gunners’ answer to replacing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang by signing a clinical goalscorer.
However, Kai Havertz started and scored against Paris Saint-Germain as he benched the Swede in the Champions League final, which shows Gyokeres is yet to earn Mikel Arteta’s full trust. As for Havertz, he is yet to nail down his position as Arteta’s go-to striker as well.
Micah Richards suggested Arsenal to target Julian Alvarez, a player who has been linked to them over several weeks and months now.
Micah Richards says Arsenal need to sign Julian Alvarez
Alvarez looks set to leave Atletico Madrid and during his time in the Spanish capital, the Arsenal target has cemented his reputation as one of the world’s most complete strikers.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards claimed Arsenal need to bring Alvarez in as in the pundit’s view, they still lack a top-class frontman in their ranks.
“I think they actually need another striker. Havertz is outstanding in terms of technical ability. I think Gyokeres has done well for coming in, in his first season. But if they can get someone like Alvarez, it would just give them something a little different, you know.
“He’s one of the best strikers in world football at the moment going into the World Cup. World Cup winner as well in the last tournament.”
Julian Alvarez’s stance on Barcelona move
Erling Haaland, who played alongside the Argentine described him as an “amazing footballer” (via Manchester City’s official website) and has already fared well in the Premier League.
However, Micah Richards did not mention that unlike Arsenal, Barcelona have already sent an official proposal worth €100 million (£86.5 million) to sign Alvarez.
🚨🔵🔴 BREAKING: Barcelona send first official proposal to Atlético Madrid for Julián Álvarez worth €100m.
No add-ons, no players involved.
Atlético, not happy about the situation over last 24h — but Julián has already asked to leave. pic.twitter.com/FpLq1dde3C
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2026
Reported by Fabrizio Romano, it has also been revealed that Atletico Madrid are unhappy about the situation.
Arsenal monitoring Julian Alvarez situation
However, the Spanish giants are unwilling to part ways with the former Manchester City goalscorer, according to journalist Veronica Brunati.
Barcelona and Alvarez’s agent tried to schedule a meeting about the potential move on Monday.
🚨 FC Barcelonas y el agente de Julian Álvarez habían propuesto una reunión para hoy. Pero el Atlético de Madrid la rechazó.
“El jugador no está en venta. Tiene contrato en vigor y estamos
Muy contentos con él”.
Cuentan con Julian Álvarez para la temporada 2026/27.
Barça sabe…
— Veronica Brunati (@verobrunati) June 1, 2026
However, Diego Simeone’s side rejected the move as they are unwilling to negotiate with Hansi Flick’s juggernaut under the current conditions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and PSG are keeping tabs on the situation.