Arsenal have added quality across the squad, yet the attack still feels one player short of complete. Viktor Gyökeresarrived carrying huge expectations, though his first season in north London never reached the level supporters imagined. Too many matches drifted away because Arsenal lacked another forward capable of changing the rhythm against stubborn defences. That’s why the search for an Arsenal New Forward still deserves attention before the transfer window closes.
Arteta wants movement, pressing and technical quality in equal measure. Every attacker must contribute without the ball, create space for others and stay calm in crowded penalty areas. Few available players tick every box, though three names stand above the rest for very different reasons.
Arsenal New Forward options Arteta should seriously consider:
1. Julián Álvarez
If Arsenal decide to make one statement signing, Julián Álvarez should sit at the top of the shortlist.
Atlético Madrid are understood to be open to discussions, creating an opportunity that rarely appears in the market. Players with his profile don’t become available very often. Across two seasons in Spain, the Argentina international has scored 49 goals while operating as a central striker, support forward and attacking midfielder. That flexibility carries enormous value across a demanding campaign.
Watch him closely, and one detail stands out immediately. He never stands still. Álvarez drifts into half-spaces, combines quickly with midfield runners and presses defenders from awkward angles. Martin Ødegaard would benefit from those intelligent movements because they create passing lanes that many forwards fail to recognise. Arsenal already dominate possession in most matches. Álvarez would give that possession far greater purpose.
Arsenal New Forward choice for extra width
2. Bradley Barcola
Arsenal’s left flank still lacks the same unpredictability that Bukayo Saka provides on the opposite side.
Gabriel Martinelli continues to produce moments of real quality, although consistency remains difficult to ignore across an entire season. Bradley Barcola offers something different. He stays wide, attacks defenders head-on and forces full-backs into uncomfortable foot races instead of allowing them to settle into shape.
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly value the France international at around £145 million, making any deal extremely expensive. Even so, elite wide players with genuine one-versus-one quality rarely become available. Barcola reaches the byline with frightening acceleration, delivers dangerous crosses and stretches defensive lines naturally. That wider positioning would leave extra room for Declan Rice and Ødegaard to attack central areas without facing packed midfields every weekend.
3. Eli Junior Kroupi
Every transfer window produces one opportunity that feels smarter than the headlines suggest.
Eli Junior Kroupi could be that signing. Bournemouth’s 19-year-old forward enjoyed an outstanding debut Premier League campaign, scoring 13 league goals and setting a new competition record for a teenage debutant. Those numbers deserve attention, yet they tell only part of the story.
Kroupi reads space brilliantly, links play with quick combinations and never avoids the hard defensive work that Arteta demands from every attacker. He can play on the left, behind the striker or through the middle without disrupting the team’s balance. Unlike many young forwards, he already looks comfortable under pressure and rarely rushes the final pass.
Read: 3 world-class free agents Arteta should sign for Arsenal
His transfer fee would sit well below the prices attached to Europe’s established stars, giving Arsenal another high-level attacking option without placing unnecessary strain on the wage bill. As Arsenal New Forward discussions continue, Kroupi feels like the clever market move that could easily prove every bit as valuable as the blockbuster names.