Arsenal have already got their own Alvarez, he's a "Bergkamp kind of player"

[ad_1] Whereas Arsenal followers might have been disenchanted to see a scarcity of motion on switch deadline day, Mikel Arteta's males confirmed simply over 24 hours later that their squad is coping simply fantastic.

Their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg vs Chelsea on Tuesday night was removed from a basic, however the dwelling followers contained in the Emirates Stadium did not care one jot.

They're in a remaining, their first remaining in six years, their first remaining since that horrendous Covid-riddled season, their first since lifting the FA Cup aloft.

It is exceptional to suppose that the Gunners have not received a significant honour since that fantastic day at Wembley. Arsenal have made an enormous quantity of progress in the previous few years however they've been the bridesmaid for therefore lengthy. That showpiece occasion on the finish of March represents an opportunity to be the bride for a change.

<img width="1650" height="1376" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Arsenal semi-final record under Arteta (timeless)" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/arsenal-semi-final-record-under-arteta-timeless.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/arsenal-semi-final-record-under-arteta-timeless.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Arsenal had didn't win a two-legged semi-final underneath Mikel Arteta till Chelsea in 2026 It doesn't matter what occurs between now and the top of the season, there's nonetheless a way that Arteta wants an elite centre ahead to hold this group ahead. Whereas they're performing admirably, their prime scorer is Viktor Gyokeres with simply 11. His struggles since transferring from Sporting have been effectively documented.

Does anybody fancy Julian Alvarez?

The newest on Arsenal's pursuit of Julian Alverez Final summer season, Andrea Berta's process was clear; he wanted to signal a striker, ideally one with objectives in abundance. Properly, on paper, there was no higher choice than Gyokeres.

The Swede was probably the most prolific striker in Europe's prime leagues final time period, finally ending 2024/25 with 54 objectives to his identify in 52 appearances.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick " data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sporting-cp-s-viktor-gyokeres-celebrates-scoring-their-third-goal-to-complete-his-hat-trick.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/sporting-cp-s-viktor-gyokeres-celebrates-scoring-their-third-goal-to-complete-his-hat-trick.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> It was by no means going to be that straightforward at Arsenal, however he has floated out and in of type, attracting criticism for his heavy contact and sluggish play. Nonetheless, previous to his somewhat nameless displaying on Tuesday, he was in the most effective type of his Gunners profession, netting 4 instances in his final six outings.

Alvarez, subsequently, appears like one thing of a necessity. Experiences in January started linking the Argentine with a transfer to the Emirates and based on some sources, they've already held talks over a summer season change.

The difficulty is that Arsenal will probably have to cough up a sum of £80m, which a 12 months after signing Gyokeres, hardly feels too wise. That mentioned, the jury stays out on their large summer season seize and Alvarez has confirmed himself in English soccer already.

Now at Atletico Madrid, a deal that Berta truly brokered throughout his time within the Spanish capital, it was at Metropolis the place he actually turned a family identify, scoring 36 objectives in 103 appearances. Not mindblowing numbers, certain, however since transferring to Atleti, he has been great.

Journalist Roy Nemer advised final season that he was "the most effective ahead on this planet" and few can argue with that, reality be advised. Within the crimson and white stripes of Atletico, the Argentina worldwide has discovered the web on 40 events in 88 matches, scoring a objective each 158 minutes he is on the sphere.

He'd be an distinctive signing, however earlier than making a choice, Arteta should check Kai Havertz up prime.

Arsenal's Julian Alvarez resolution You sense that if Arsenal did signal one other striker in the summertime then one in all them must depart. The following few months, subsequently, are pivotal for these main the road in Arteta's facet.

Gyokeres will, in fact, be given extra time, however Gabriel Jesus is probably skating on skinny ice regardless of a comparatively spectacular return from an ACL harm. He has significantly good towards Inter Milan within the Champions League when he scored twice on the San Siro.

Arsenal's strikers in 2026

Participant

Video games

Objectives

Gyokeres

9

4

Havertz

5

2

Jesus

9

3

That mentioned, he is incomes a bucketload within the English capital, taking dwelling a reported wage of £265k-per-week, which makes him one of many best-paid gamers in the complete Premier League. He's additionally Arsenal's third-highest earner. Havertz, for context, is their second-highest earner on £280k-per-week.

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The German has a couple of extra years on the membership left in him but and his type all through the again finish of 2025/26 may effectively dictate the place Arsenal resolve to spend in the summertime.

Since returning to full health on the flip of the 12 months, he has been distinctive, significantly in latest weeks. Havertz burst again into the beginning lineup when he scored and assisted final week towards Kairat Almaty in Europe.

His efficiency towards Leeds did not provide the identical pleasure however his cameo towards Chelsea reminded supporters of simply how good and certainly, simply how vital he's to Arteta's system.

It was Havertz who scored the game-clinching objective. Performed in by Rice, he took a gorgeous first contact, danced round Robert Sanchez and tapped the ball into an empty internet. The Arsenal gamers, substitutes included, raced over to him and with that, that they had sealed their place within the remaining.

Havertz and Alvarez are totally different however they do share some key similarities. Not simply content material with scoring objectives, they're proficient probability creators too and luxuriate in enjoying in a second striker function. In any case, Paul Merson described him as a "Bergkamp type of participant" a couple of years in the past and he was maybe the most effective we have seen within the Premier League at enjoying simply behind the striker, somewhat than because the out-and-out quantity 9. Thierry Henry will testify to that.

They don't seem to be your typical run-in behind striker like Gyokeres is, however they'll hyperlink the play, convey others into the sport and contribute to extra phases of play.

Maybe the prime instance of this got here throughout Argentina's profitable World Cup marketing campaign in 2022. Whereas Alvarez was chosen because the 9, Lionel Messi's lack of defensive means meant it was the previous Man Metropolis man who typically got here again into midfield to assist defend and provide an additional physique out of possession.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Julian-Alvarez-Lautaro-Martinez-Argentina" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/julian-alvarez-lautaro-martinez-argentina.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/julian-alvarez-lautaro-martinez-argentina.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Whereas Arsenal's collective defensive efforts are very pretty cut up up and executed, it is a function that mimics Havertz's at Arsenal. He does not play on the final shoulder however will maintain issues up and are available deeper to gather the ball, lead the press and assist defend.

It is arguably why the Gunners have struggled enjoying with a extra conventional striker within the type of Gyokeres. It is merely not what they've been used to lately. Alvarez may provide extra in behind than Havertz does, however the 26-year-old's positional flexibility and adaptableness are first-class. He'd be an distinctive signing however maybe they already a few of his essential qualities within the German.

This summer season will definitely be very attention-grabbing for Arsenal out there.

<img width="440" height="364" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Arsenal vs Chelsea Carabao Cup semi-final" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/arsenal-vs-chelsea-carabao-cup-semi-final.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=182&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/arsenal-vs-chelsea-carabao-cup-semi-final.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=220&h=182&dpr=2"/> Associated