Former footballer Thierry Henry waves to the crowd before the match between Team Europe's Alexander Zverev and Team World's Alex de Minaur
Former footballer Thierry Henry waves to the crowd before the match between Team Europe's Alexander Zverev and Team World's Alex de Minaur
Arsenal are planning to make a move for "one of the best in the world" this winter, and he has received the seal of approval from Thierry Henry.
Things couldn't be going much better for the Gunners, as the 3-0 defeat at Brighton is the only blip on their record in the Premier League, while they have also taken seven points from their opening three Champions League matches, which leaves them in a very healthy position.
In their most recent outing, Mikel Arteta's side strolled to a 2-0 victory against Everton at the Emirates Stadium, although they had to rely on their defenders to do the business in the attacking third, with Ezri Konsa and Gabriel getting on the scoresheet.
Viktor Gyokeres was given the nod in the starting line-up, but even though he grabbed an assist, it was a quiet day for the Sweden international, who lost all six of the duels he contested and didn't get a shot away.
Kai Havertz's impact was also limited, after replacing Gyokeres in the second half, with the former Chelsea man also failing to record a shot, albeit Arteta's side had already built up a healthy lead by that point.
Eze-Havertz-Rice-Bruno-Guimaraes-Arsenal
By winning the league last season, Arteta arguably proved that he doesn't need to sign another striker to be successful, but the Spaniard is looking to add a new centre-forward to his ranks during the January transfer window.
Arsenal readying move for Julian Alvarez
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez on the bench before the match
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez on the bench before the match
After pursuing a move for Julian Alvarez during the summer, Arsenal are now preparing a January move for the Atletico Madrid star, although a deal could be expensive, as the Spanish side have been holding out for around €150m (£126m).
Moreover, it could be difficult to get a deal over the line, as FC Barcelona have also been showing an interest in the Argentina international, and he has previously expressed a preference to move to the Camp Nou.
Regardless, the Gunners remain very interested in signing Alvarez, who has received major plaudits from Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
Simeone said: "He's a very important player, one of the best in the world. We have him and we have to take care of him. I hope he continues to give us what he is giving us."
Julian Alvarez's career record Appearances Goals
River Plate 122 54
Man City 103 36
Atletico Madrid 115 51
As shown, the 26-year-old has found the net wherever he's been, and the fact he is already proven in the Premier League is an added bonus, picking up 11 goals and ten assists in 36 Manchester City matches during the 2023-24 campaign.
Interestingly, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has made it clear he is a big admirer too, saying: “I will be honest with you. One of my favourite nines out there at the minute is Julian Alvarez.
“We’ve been talking about it. Putting pressure, playing alone, low, whatever you want to do. Did you see the free-kick he scored the other day? He can hold the ball long. He played at the Olympic Games, he played the Copa America. I don’t hear him saying ‘I’m tired, I’m not tired’. Hopefully nothing bad is going to happen to him, (but) he played everything. The way he plays, I just like him.”