By Sam McGuire
The Gunners satisfied Martin Zubimendi to go away the Basque Nation whereas Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most costly goalkeeper, arrived on the Emirates for a discount charge of £5million. Brentford skipper Christian Nørgaard is anticipated so as to add depth to the Arsenal midfield and there’s speak that Noni Madueke might be signed from Chelsea as Mikel Arteta seems to bolster his assault.
The difference-maker, nonetheless, might be the approaching arrival of Viktor Gyökeres. Arsenal, for all of their easy-on-the-eye soccer throughout the Arteta period, have lacked that exclamation level within the remaining third once in a while.
They’ve been with out a participant who’s obsessive about placing the ball into the again of the online. A real goalscorer.
Arteta has invested within the ahead line through the years, signing Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners additionally introduced Raheem Sterling in on mortgage. Whereas these are objective threats, they aren’t essentially goalscorers. They aren’t going to hit 30 throughout all competitions, are they?
And that seems to have been Arsenal’s downfall over current seasons. Final time period, they completed sixth for Anticipated Objectives within the Premier League with a complete of 61.6. Bournemouth (64.9) have been one of many 5 groups to be extra of a risk and Liverpool topped the charts with a haul of 83.5. For additional context right here, the Gunners may solely declare a fifth positioned end within the Large Possibilities desk with a complete of 110, 40 shy of leaders Liverpool.
In a sport through which objectives are king, the shortage of actual risk for Arsenal was clearly an issue. You’ll be able to have the most effective defence within the league however for those who don’t have the firepower to benefit from it, you’ll all the time fall brief.
Gyökeres doesn’t assure objectives. No participant does. However the Sweden worldwide is a supreme goalscorer and an elite chance-getter. Present him with sufficient possibilities and he’ll, most of the time, put the ball into the again of the online.
It’s why Sporting are reportedly demanding a assured £60.2million to half methods with the 27-year-old this summer time.
Final time period, the one-time Brighton man scored 39 league objectives and netted 54 throughout all competitions. To place into perspective simply how spectacular that is, Havertz, Trossard, Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scored a mixed 34 league objectives throughout the 2024/25 marketing campaign.
The 6’2″ powerhouse was simply inevitable for the Lisbon giants. He claimed a median 8.33 FotMob score final season for his performances within the Portuguese high flight. The truth is, he was the one participant in Portugal to complete with a median score of over 7.9.
He was a category above everyone else. He completed with 46 objective involvements within the league, 20 away from his closest rival. His Anticipated Objectives haul of 30.9 was 12.5 greater than the person in second.
In order for you a pure, out-and-out No. 9 this summer time, he’s the most effective wager.
His shot map is the type that each one strikers yearn for. Big quantity within the world and solely a handful of makes an attempt from low-value areas. He’s the place you need him to be, all the time.
There are, in fact, just a few issues to caveat although. For instance, 12 of his 39 league objectives arrived by way of the penalty spot. Penalties aren’t awarded so freely within the Premier League and he is likely to be behind Saka within the pecking order, in order that must be factored in.
The sheer quantity of pictures on a per 90 foundation additionally must be checked out. Final season, he averaged 4.46 pictures per 90.
The one two gamers to crack the 4 pictures per recreation on common barrier have been Julio Enciso and Jhon Durán. The previous appeared in fewer than 1,200 minutes whereas the latter was offered in January having racked up simply 626 minutes. The purpose right here is it’s nearly unattainable to keep up that kind of shot quantity whereas taking part in 2,600 minutes. Probably the most prolific shooter for the Gunners final time period was Saka with 3.5. Subsequent up was Havertz with 2.5.
How Arteta goes about guaranteeing his new centre-forward will get the service he wants goes to be intriguing. With out it, it’s exhausting to know simply how impactful Gyökeres may be. In any case, the important thing to his success in Portugal has been shot quantity. If Arsenal are unable to create an setting for him to thrive, this signing may trigger extra issues than options for the title challengers.
It’s important to imagine that Arsenal have completed their due diligence although. Earlier within the switch window, it appeared as if Benjamin Šeško was the one for them however he was priced out of a transfer. There was additionally speak of Hugo Ekitike.
Gyökeres has a bonus over each although having already performed in England. The adaption needs to be somewhat simpler. The Sporting No. 9 additionally has expertise battling for the title. One other tick for him. There’s additionally an argument that he’s extra of the completed article, with Ekitike and Šeško nonetheless studying on the job. Arteta wants somebody who could make a right away impression. And, in idea, Gyökeres can, all for an affordable charge of €70million versus the €100million that RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly need for his or her strikers.
Signing the Sweden worldwide could be sensible enterprise. However provided that Arsenal are ready to play to his strengths. Do this they usually may have the firepower to lastly win a Premier League title beneath Arteta.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You’ll be able to observe all of the summer time strikes by way of the FotMob Switch Centre. Obtain the free app right here.