With new sporting director Andrea Berta now at the helm, Arsenal are all set for a frantic summer transfer window.
The Gunners are likely to finish second in the race for the Premier League title and they have a few reasons to blame. Injuries have ruined them and they have been on the end of some questionable refereeing calls.
However, the biggest problem, notably in 2025, has been their lack of a central striker after season-ending injuries for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus was on a fine run of form before sustaining an awful ACL injury against Manchester United in the FA Cup while Havertz has been out since sustaining a hamstring problem during the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai.
Mikel Merino has at least found some form, scoring six goals as a striker, but he is not the long-term solution.
As a result, a new shiny centre-forward will be required in the summer.
Who will that be? Well, speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of NewBettingSites.uk, Jeremie Aliadiere had a few possible solutions for Mikel Arteta.
Aliadiere wants Arsenal to sign Premier League striker
Much of the talk in recent months has been regarding the likes of Sporting sensation Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
Gyokeres has been the most in-form striker in Europe this season, scoring a remarkable haul of 44 goals in 45 games. As for that man Isak, he’s been rampant in England, although hasn’t been quite as prolific as his fellow Swede, netting 24 times in 36 appearances.
Well, if it was down to Aliadiere – one of Arsenal’s Invincibles – he would look at snapping up one of Liverpool’s forwards.
Speaking to FFC, he said: “I’m a big fan of Darwin Nunez. I really like Nunez, I’ve always been a fan of the guy. I love his work ethic, and I still think there’s a good goalscorer in him. He hasn’t had the opportunity and the confidence of his coach and his club to play week-in, week-out for a long period of time. A goalscorer needs to play week-in, week-out to keep scoring goals.”
Nunez has been one of the biggest underperformers at Anfield this term, scoring just seven goals in 42 outings.
The Uruguayan wasn’t the only solution Aliadiere recommended. The player-turned-pundit suggested Arteta and Co could go for a different Premier League striker.
The Frenchman revealed: “I like Ollie Walkins as well, which in terms of finances, will probably be cheaper to buy than Isak, who has had such an unbelievable season. The price to buy them will have gone through the roof. It’s easy to like him and want him, but it’s all about the finance and how much money Arsenal are prepared to pay for players. That’s the type of player I would love to see wearing the No9 for Arsenal, a player that can stretch defences and make runs in behind.”
Watkins was notably linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in January when Arsenal reportedly saw a bid rejected for the Englishman.
Despite Arsenal’s need for a striker, they could also do with a new winger.
The winger Aliadiere wants Arsenal to sign
A number of different wide men have been linked with Arsenal since Berta came to the club.
Indeed, reports suggest that talks have been held with Kingsley Coman’s camp about a possible summer move while Wolves’ Matheus Cunha is allegedly a player Berta is a fan of.
There is strong interest in Anthony Gordon as well, according to reports, but one player tops all of those three in the words of Aliadiere.
Continuing his chat with FFC, the former striker was asked what winger he’d like to see arrive at the Emirates Stadium this summer.
It didn’t require much thought. Nico Williams was the man in question. “I like Nico Williams. He’s a top, top player,” Aliadiere began.
“He will suit Arsenal’s style really well. If I had a free budget, I’d definitely want to go and try to buy him, that’s for sure. Can he perform in the Premier League? You see players that come from abroad, they have a great season for their club abroad and they come to the Premier League and it doesn’t quite work out for them. It doesn’t click and they can’t really adjust to the style of play. That’s why sometimes buying players from abroad is a bit tricky. That’s why Isak, who’s done it in the Premier League with Newcastle, is a safe bet.”
Signing a new striker must be the top priority for Arsenal, but whether or not they have the finances to complete a deal for a second attacker remains to be seen.
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