It’s safe to say that Robin van Persie isn’t held in very high esteem by Arsenal supporters. Who can blame them, either?
The flying Dutchman’s record at the Emirates Stadium was remarkable, scoring 59 goals in his final two campaigns in north London.
However, we all know what happened next. Van Persie wasn’t happy with the direction the club was heading in and subsequently departed. His destination? Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
Typically, the centre-forward found the net in his first game against the Gunners and went on to win the Premier League title. For Van Persie, he was overjoyed. For Arsenal fans, it was torture.
Since his exit, the Gunners haven’t had too many rampant strikers. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang comes to mind but after he was forced out by Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard has lacked a regular goalscorer.
Enter Julian Alvarez.
The latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez
The winter window was a quiet affair for the Gunners, even if reports did emerge on transfer deadline day that they had reportedly been in talks with the entourage of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
The Italian remains a target for the summer but perhaps their biggest priority is Alvarez. That, however, may well depend on what happens across the remainder of the campaign. Viktor Gyokeres is beginning to find form now. No Premier League player has scored more goals than him (6) in all competitions throughout 2026.
As such, Alvarez may not be required, but it’s hard to deny he’d be a good signing. Reports emerged in January that Arsenal had opened talks to sign the player ahead of a summer move.
An £80m price tag was allegedly slapped on the Argentine’s shoulders and what may well give the Gunners the advantage in the race is that Andrea Berta actually brokered his move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid.
Berta, once of Atleti, maintains a good relationship with the Spanish club and that could be pivotal if any negotiations take place.
The latest on the move is that Arsenal are still in talks with his representatives, although at the moment, Barcelona would be his favoured destination should he leave the Metropolitano.
How Arsenal can save millions on Alvarez
Should Arsenal win a whole host of silverware come May, then it would be incredibly difficult to actually strengthen Arteta’s ranks.
It could also depend on how the forward line performs between now and the climax of the campaign. For Gabriel Jesus, it would not be a surprise if the departed north London after a rotten time of it injury-wise in the past year. He did score twice against Inter Milan but his form beyond that has been rather disappointing.
For Gyokeres, his revival in 2026 has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s in the form of his Arsenal career so far and is finally beginning to showcase why Berta and Co spent £63.5m to bring him back to English football.
His form has coincided with the return of Kai Havertz. Between them, they may well prove that there is no need for Alvarez this summer.
With the German returning to action, it threw Gyokeres’ long-term future into doubt. We all know how much Arteta loves Havertz and it would not have been a surprise if he became the leading option at the focal point of the attack again.
However, while the £65m signing did appear off the bench as a striker and score against former employers, Chelsea, it’s in the Martin Odegaard role where he has thrived upon his return.
Havertz was initially signed as a midfielder and it’s hugely pleasing to see him perform so well in a sort of second striker role behind Gyokeres. Already, he’s struck up quite the partnership with the Swede.
He supplied Arsenal’s big summer signing with his goal against Kairat Almaty and was also the provider of the former Sporting forward’s first strike against Sunderland last weekend. So, while at first it looked like they’d compete for the same spot, there is a world where they can co-exist.
|
Havertz vs Kairat Almaty |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
45 |
|
Touches |
32 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Chances created |
3 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
6 |
|
Successful dribbles |
1 |
|
Distance covered |
5.3km |
|
Top speed |
31.2 km/h |
There is a sense, however, that the Germany international will still be preferred in the bigger games where more link-up and hold-up play are required.
Earning a reported £275k-per-week, according to David Ornstein, he has proven in recent years just how much of an asset he is to this club, scoring 15 goals in 2024/25 despite missing half the campaign through injury.
But, what makes him so good? Well, in the words of Paul Merson, he’s a “Bergkamp kind of player”. Former Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna even said that he’s “like Robin van Persie.” We can see where they’re coming from.
Like Bergkamp, and indeed like Alvarez, he’s more than just a goalscorer. Indeed, Havertz registered seven assists in his debut campaign on the red side of London. He also has as many assists (2) as he does goals in 2025/26.
It’s Van Persie who he’s more closely emulating, though, with his play style certainly similar. Like Arsenal’s former captain, he’s a striker who thinks like a creator. The Dutchman claimed 55 assists in his Arsenal career. They’ve also got a like-minded technique and style.
The way they link play is alike and what certainly helps are the aesthetics. They are both left-footed and move similarly to get into goalscoring positions.
The way he danced around Robert Sanchez for his goal against Chelsea was a perfect illustration of that. As was a piece of play against Sunderland. Havertz darted towards the goal and then shuffled the ball onto his left foot outside the box much like Van Persie used to do. All that was missing was the finish, firing inches wide of the post.
Alvarez would undoubtedly be a fabulous signing this summer but perhaps they already have their own long-term solutions in the form of Gyokeres and Havertz.
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