This summer's mini-transfer window, open from June 1 to June 10, presents an opportunity for Premier League sides to get deals done very early ahead of pre-season, and Arsenal could take full advantage.
Arsenal urged to invest in new signings up front
Mikel Arteta ended yet another season with no trophies to show for his side's efforts at N5, and discounting the Community Shield, Arsenal haven't won any piece of major silverware since their FA Cup triumph in 2020.
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He's set to assess his options.
Considering the Gunners have registered a net spend of around £487 million on transfers since Arteta took over from Unai Emery in 2019, some questions are starting to be asked about the Arsenal manager when it comes to their lack of silverware return.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, speaking after Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United earlier this year, drew particular attention to their "toothlessness" in the forward areas - going on to state that they simply must spend big again this summer.
"This has shown a massive spotlight on the toothlessness of Arsenal's forward players compared to what we're seeing at the other end of the pitch," said Neville.
gary-neville-salary-wage-sky-sports-dragons-den-tv
"That's a given. They have to [spend this summer].
"I was supportive of them not panicking in the window, finding the player they want, I get that. But when the bid went in for Ollie Watkins, they are sending a message to the rest of the squad, the ones up front aren't good enough, this game confirms it."
The arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta is set to play a pivotal role in their pursuit of attacking upgrades for the squad, and reliable media sources are already claiming that the Italian has got to work.
The north Londoners recently opened talks over a deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, which has since stalled due to wage demands (Florian Plettenberg), with Arsenal also holding "concrete" negotiations to sign striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Arsenal offer Viktor Gyokeres a five-year contract worth nearly £30m
Sesko isn't their only option to reinforce the centre-forward area, though, with Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres also heavily linked in the last month.
gyokeres-sporting
Portuguese news outlets in particular have reported in the last fortnight that Arsenal are making serious progress on a move for Gyokeres, with newspaper O Jogo even claiming that they've agreed a fee.
While that rumour is yet to gain traction, another Portuguese media source, Correio de Manha, has come forward with a significant update of their own.
The newspaper states Arsenal have offered Gyokeres a five-year contract worth nearly £30 million, with the Swede handed an annual salary worth £5.9 million-per-year.
They've also apparently offered Sporting around £59 million for his signature, which is still slightly below his reported asking price of around £63 million, so it will be intriguing to see if this proposal gets off the ground.
viktor gyokeres
Gyokeres' 54 goals in all competitions this season indicates that he's a fine candidate to resolve Arsenal's lack of cutting edge in the attacking areas, and Sporting boss Rui Borges certainly has little doubt about the 26-year-old, even if there's a case to be made that the Primeria Liga is inferior to English top flight football.
"I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games," said Borges about Gyokeres.
"The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal."