After last night’s huge Champions League triumph, Arsenal have demonstrated that they are capable of beating Europe’s elite, a signal as to how far they’ve developed in recent years.
Mikel Arteta deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the work he’s done in rebuilding the side over the last five years, with all his work leading up to the win over Real Madrid.
After such a display at the Santiago Bernabéu, supporters will undoubtedly be hugely confident that the side can go all the way and claim their first European title come the end of the campaign.
However, with the summer transfer window approaching, decisions will need to be made on the futures of numerous players currently plying their trade at the Emirates.
Signings will need to be made to continue the rebuild, potentially allowing the Gunners to compete with Europe’s elite on a consistent basis for many years to come.
The latest update on Arsenal’s hunt for summer signings
Over the last couple of days, links to Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres have rapidly developed, with Arsenal just one of the sides in the race to land his signature this summer.
Reports earlier this week claimed that Gunners sporting director Andra Berta has already held talks with his representatives over a move to North London ahead of the window opening.
It’s also been reported that the Swedish international is keen on a move to join Arteta’s side, with a £60m fee mooted to land the talisman, who’s netted 87 times in the last two seasons.
Any deal for the 26-year-old would see the side finally land the focal point they’ve desperately lacked, but he could be joined in the final third by Spanish winger Nico Williams.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have pulled out of the race, leaving Arsenal as the favourites to trigger his £50m release clause in the coming months.
Why Gyokeres would star at Arsenal along with £50m star
Given his goalscoring record in the Liga Portugal over the last couple of seasons, it’s no secret that Arsenal would be getting themselves a proven goalscorer who would take the side to the next level.
However, there’s only so much a striker can do on his own, often relying on the creativity of players around him to produce the goods to allow them to thrive.
Injuries have massively plagued Arteta’s side in the final third throughout 2024/25, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all missing large chunks of the campaign.
Depth is desperately needed this summer, with a potential partnership of Gyokeres and Williams alongside Saka one to be feared by sides across the Premier League.
The Spaniard has all the tools to provide the Swede within the final third, with his stats from LaLiga demonstrating the quality he possesses with the ball at his feet.
The 22-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Ben Mattinson, has registered five assists this season, but his underlying stats showcase how much of a threat he is in the final third.
Williams has notched a total of three successful take-ons and 5.3 progressive carries per 90, undoubtedly at his best when marauding forward with the ball at his feet.
Games played
27
Goals & assists
10
Progressive carries
5.3
Carries into final third
2.7
Progressive passes
3.2
Successful take-ons
3
Key passes completed
1.9
Crosses completed
5.1
Shot-creating actions
5.2
He’s also registered 1.9 key passes and 5.1 crosses completed per 90, with both of his respective tallies providing Gyokeres with ammunition to score within the final third.
The Spaniard’s talent doesn’t stop there, achieving 5.2 shot-creating actions and 3.2 progressive passes per 90, once again highlighting the talent he boasts to provide opportunities for those around him.
Whilst the pair would likely set the Gunners hierarchy back around £110m this summer, it’s a bargain price given the elite-level talents they would be signing.
The prospect of the pair linking up at the Emirates is a hugely exciting one, with the pair having the skillset to push the club closer to ending their two-decade wait for a league title.
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