Frustrations surrounding Arsenal's forward line this season have been understandable.
As the Gunners go in search of a historic Premier League and Champions League double, the attack has not always been at the races. Ian Wright has declared that this team would surpass the Invinicibles by winning both trophies but the quality of the starting XI from then to now pales in comparison.
At the forefront of that team you had the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry. Even in the years after that you can argue they had a better striker than Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres-Odegaard-Arsenal
Cast your mind back to the days of Robin van Persie, to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexis Sanchez. All of them were certainly classier than what they have at their disposal right now.
It begs the question, is Gyokeres good enough or will Mikel Arteta and Co upgrade in the summer?
Arsenal ready to spend big money on LaLiga striker
Last summer, there were two options at the forefront of the club's mind. They scouted Benjamin Sesko hard and before Andrea Berta came in, were reportedly edging towards the Slovenian instead.
benjamin-sesko-man-utd
However, Berta arrived and it was Gyokeres who they ended up with. Whether or not they made the right call could well be determined by their trophy count at the end of May.
That said, the Arsenal hierarchy are clearly not truly convinced by last summer's decision. Indeed, two strikers have already been linked as we approach the summer months. Eli Junior Kroupi at Bournemouth is being chased by a host of top Premier League clubs, including the north Londoners.
Arsenal record signings Related
Arsenal's most expensive signings of all time
The Gunners have spent generously in recent years.
That said, there is a more proven option on the table in the form of Julian Alvarez. Reports from Spain this week suggested that Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG have already held talks regarding a move.
Now, the latest is provided by TEAMtalk, who corroborate claims that those three clubs are all interested in prising Alvarez away from Atletico Madrid this summer.
Rice-Alvarez-Atletico-Arsenal
However, Barca are all but ruled out due to the finances involved in a deal. The report notes that Atleti will not sell the player unless their £100m asking price is met.
As a result, that has put the two Champions League finalists in pole position to acquire the Argentine. Both teams are said to be 'willing to match' the valuation set.
Arsenal view the player as a 'transformational signing' and are ready to throw a shedload of cash in Atleti's direction to get a deal done.
The Spanish club are happy to extend their star man's contract, but he is open to leaving this summer.
Why Alvarez could be Arsenal's new Alexis Sanchez
If there was one criticism to level at Arteta, it would be the attacking play of this Arsenal team. Sure, they may have dispatched Fulham 3-0 11 days ago, but that is an anomaly in recent times. In ten of their last 11 games, they have not scored more than one goal in a single game.
While the overall quality of the entire squad is now far better, it's a far cry from the days of Alexis Sanchez. Indeed, since the Chilean left for Manchester United, Arsenal have only had one player reach more than 30 goals in a single season.
Arsenal top scorers by season
Season/Player
2018/19 - P-E Aubameyang
2019/20 - P-E Aubameyang
2020/21 - Alexander Lacazette
2021/22 - Bukayo Saka
2022/23 - Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard
2023/24 - Bukayo Saka
2024/25 - Kai Havertz
Sanchez netted 30 in 2016/17 while former club captain, Aubameyang, bagged 31 in 2018/19. Worryingly, in six of the last seven years, Arsenal have failed to find a player capable of getting anywhere close. Bukayo Saka fired home 20 goals in 2023/24 but they have lacked genuine firepower.
To his credit, Gyokers has 21 goals in his debut campaign, the most of any Arsenal player since the days of Auba, but his overall play has been left wanting.
Alexis-Sanchez-Arsenal
This is where Alvarez could represent a big upgrade. Since leaving Manchester City, the World Cup winner has been a revelation on Spanish shores.
The Argentina international netted 29 times last term and has so far registered 20 this season. Yet, what sets him apart from positionally similar players is his ability to create for others.
In that regard, he's very much like Alexis. The former Arsenal man was not an out-and-out centre-forward. In fact, he arrived as a winger. Yet, under Arsene Wenger, he became a ruthless striker with a selfless side too.
During that aforementioned 2016/17 season, not only did the Chile legend notch 30 goals, but he also registered 15 assists. It was a very Alvarez-esque season from Sanchez.
Indeed, during his final campaign at Man City, the attacker scored 23 times and supplied 13 assists. This term, he has nine assists to add to his 20 goals. It's hardly a surprise that he's been described as a "monster" by Argentine journalist Pablo Gonzalez.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
The fact is that both players are not just brilliant at beating the goalkeeper but they are also exceptional creators. That is something Arsenal do not currently boast up top. Gyokeres has been prolific in front of goal but has just three assists in 52 matches.
£100m may be a lot to pay when they already have someone like the big Swede, but given the problems the Gunners have had in the final third throughout 2025/26, Alvarez could be a game-changer for Arteta and Co.
Raheem-Sterling-Arsenal Related
The new Sterling: £45m star may never play for Arsenal again after West Ham
The season could be over for Arsenal's £45m man.