Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Time is running out for Arsenal to source a superstar attacker this summer, and they may ultimately end up turning towards a player they can develop into a superstar under Mikel Arteta's tutelage instead.
The Gunners failed in an audacious pursuit of Vinicius Junior earlier this summer, while they also missed out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea and are set to lose out on Bradley Barcola to Liverpool. On top of this, Julian Alvarez seemingly has no interest in making the switch from Atletico Madrid, leaving Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta with few exciting options.
Rather than signing someone for a huge fee they may not be convinced by, the North Londoners should defer their pursuit of a big name until a later window and instead sign a prospect to replace Gabriel Martinelli and compete with Christos Tzolis.
Lille's Matias Fernandes-Pardo could be the perfect option.
Arsenal Should Look to Sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo Before the Window Closes
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Martinelli is said to be closing in on a £51 million switch to Al-Hilal — a deal which would leave Arsenal short on left-wing options.
Tzolis is the only remaining out-and-out left-sided forward in Arteta's squad, and while Eberechi Eze can be used in this role if needed, the Gunners will need to add a player in this position before the window slams shut next week. Gabriel Jesus is also expected to leave before Tuesday's deadline, meaning Arteta would ideally sign someone who can cover the centre-forward position as well as the left wing.
Fernandez-Pardo fits the bill. The Lille attacker scored eight goals and provided six assists across all competitions last season, and has been singled out as one of the most promising young talents in European football due, in large part, to his electric pace.
Newcastle are expected to table a £35 million bid for Fernandez-Pardo, an offer the Gunners can certainly match. If the Premier League champions come calling, the Belgian may well be convinced to ditch a prospective move to the north-east and ply his trade in North London instead.
Fernandez-Pardo has been clocked running at 39km/h, a blistering speed which usurps every single player in the Premier League since the start of the 2020/21 season.
Thus, the 21-year-old possesses the pace that Arsenal will be losing with Martinelli's exit, while he also has the technical guile and creativity of Leandro Trossard, who left for Besiktas earlier this summer. The Gunners have already added a Trossard-Martinelli hybrid this summer in the form of Tzolis, so they have the potential to acquire another to complete their left wing rebuild.
Ultimately, signing the Belgium international for a modest fee is a relatively low-risk move. If he doesn't work out, the Gunners still have Tzolis and Eze on their books, while they can move him on in January or next summer at a slight loss, before reassessing the left wing market.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
Matias Fernandez-Pardo's Statistics
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Interestingly, Fernandez-Pardo currently profiles as a creative forward who is yet to provide the goal threat he'll need if he's to develop into a prolific striker. However, this does point to him being more of a winger than a number nine at this point in his career, which is exactly what Arsenal need.
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Matias Fernandez-Pardo's Statistics 2025/26 (Ligue 1 Only)
Stat
Appearances
Goals per 90
Assists per 90
Shots per 90
Expected Goals per 90
Key Passes per 90
Expected Assists per 90
Successful Dribbles per 90
His pace allows him to make intelligent darts in behind the opposition backline down the left, before sliding the ball across the box for his teammates to finish. Ranking in the 91st percentile for expected assists per 90 and the 88th percentile for key passes, it's this ability to create for others which has stood out thus far in his career, even if his assist numbers don't exactly pop off the page on the surfce.
Ultimately, at just 21, there are enough tools for Arteta and his coaching staff to be excited. The youngster wouldn't be a home-run signing by any means, but he'd certainly be a sensible gamble based on the prospective fee.
Arsenal can always go big on a household name next summer when the market shakes loose a bit.
Arsenal players
Arsenal players