When Arsenal won the Premier League two months ago, this summer promised to be a huge one for the Gunners.
However, to date, it has been anything but big. Piero Hincapie has signed on a permanent transfer and has been followed through the door by Illan Meslier on a free transfer and Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Christos Tzolis for Club Brugge
Tzolis is an exciting and tricky winger by trade but he is not the game-changer, the level raiser that many supporters thought Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta would be able to entice to the club.
The dream target this summer is still Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez but his future in the Spanish capital is very much up in the air.
Why Julian Alvarez could solve Arsenal's problems
There were not many issues at the Emirates Stadium last season but if there was one area you could really criticise it would be Arsenal's forward line.
They boast the best defence in Europe but when it comes to their attack, plenty was left to be desired.
Bukayo Saka struggled for form and fitness and despite his hat-trick at the World Cup, there is a fear that he could miss the start of the season.
Saka-Trossard-Arsenal
Saka aside, the club's attacking line still looks rather weak. It remains to be seen how Tzolis will perform for Arsenal but it will not be hard for him to usurp the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke. The former scored just once in the Premier League last season. Madueke bagged only three times.
Up top, the situation remains perplexing. Viktor Gyokeres ended 2025/26 as Arsenal's top scorer on 21 goals but hardly set the world alight. Questions remain over his long-term future in north London, particularly if Alvarez joins.
Arsenal top scorers in 2025/26
Player
1) Viktor Gyokeres
2) Gabriel Martinelli
3) Bukayo Saka
4) Eberechi Eze
5) Leandro Trossard
6) Noni Madueke
The Argentine has been the subject of significant interest from the Gunners and if he did join, he could solve many a problem in Arsenal's forward line.
While he scored one fewer goal than Gyokeres last term and lagged behind in 2024/25 with 29 goals to the Swede's 52, that tally did come at a higher level in LaLiga.
Julian-Alvarez-World-Cup-Argentina
Having played for Manchester City, he's got experience of playing in English football already and in general, he's a far more well-rounded centre-forward compared to Gyokeres.
He can play as a second striker, he can play out on the flanks and his technique is a class apart in comparison. He's stronger in the build-up and is far better at linking the play together. He ranked among the finest 6% of strikers in Europe's top five leagues last season for open play big chances created with 0.43 per 90. Arsenal's number 14, by comparison, created just 0.16.
As big a difference as Alvarez could make to Arteta's frontline, there is a transfer target that could be even more transformative.
How Arsenal could seal a better signing than Alvarez
There is a reason that the former City man has been described as Arsenal's "dream target" this summer. He would be the perfect centre-forward for the way the Gunners play.
He doesn't just score goals at will but he creates them on a regular basis too. He's the whole package as far as a striker is concerned.
Yet, with Gyokeres and Kai Havertz in the team, you would have to say that signing a new spearhead of the attack is not the biggest prioritity.
So, what is? Well, despite the arrival of Tzolis, the north Londoners simply have to sign a high calibre winger, an elite wide forward capable of terrifying defenders.
Arsenal have tried their best to sort that this summer. They were leading the race for Morgan Rogers until Chelsea came calling to the tune of £117m to make him the most-expensive English player ever.
England's Morgan Rogers in action
Supporters were furious to see that happen but when news broke on Saturday afternoon that they are exploring a move for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, Rogers was soon forgotten about.
Whether or not this deal happens, it's given fans a great deal of excitement. Vini's deal at the Bernabeu expires in a year and will have conversations with the club this week regarding his future. However, Arsenal are at the table and have already held talks with the player's representatives according to talkSPORT's Ben Jacobs.
Potentially set to cost around £136m this summer, it would be a remarkable signing, a jaw-dropping sign of intent from the champions heading into the new season. Say what you like about Alvarez, Arsenal need a winger more than a striker and in the form of Vinicius, they would be signing one of the best wide players on the planet.
It was only two years ago that he finished second to Rodri in the race for the Ballon d'Or. He's a global megastar and was hailed by Thiery Henry as "the best" player in the world around the same period of time.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts
Compared to most wingers in world football, Vini Jr will trump them but even when comparing him to a striker in the form of Alvarez, he's ahead of the 2022 World Cup winner across the last five years.
Vini Jr vs Alvarez last five seasons
Season
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
While the Argentine sensation has bettered the Brazilian's best seasonal tally for goals, as far as consistency is concerned, Vini Jr is streets ahead.
He has been and continues to be one of the most electrifying talents on the globe. His numbers are better than anyone at Arsenal over over the last few seasons, even Saka's. This is precisely the type of signing they need to make it they want to build a dynasty under Arteta.
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Arsenal are exploring a remarkable move for Vinicius Junior this summer.