For the first time in over two decades, Arsenal entered the current campaign as the hunted rather than the hunters after their Premier League triumph last campaign.
Mikel Arteta was responsible for ending a generational wait for a league title at the Emirates, with the hierarchy backing him in the summer to repeat the success in 2026/27.
Over £150m was spent on new additions during the recent window, but it’s safe to say that the recent arrivals were against the demands of a huge portion of supporters.
Why Arsenal needed a new centre-forward last summer
Alongside the need for added reinforcements in the left-wing department, Arsenal were also crying out for a new centre-forward to challenge the likes of Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz.
The former of the duo was seen as the big-money addition to improve the department last summer, but it’s safe to say his time in North London has been far from successful.
The Swedish international may have netted 14 goals in England’s top-flight last term, but supporters voiced their concerns over his struggles to provide an outlet in attacking areas.
As a result, Arteta has handed the 28-year-old reduced minutes this term, subsequently featuring for just 29 minutes in the league – with none of which coming from a starting role.
|
PL mins played by Arsenal attackers |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
PL mins |
|
1 |
Kai Havertz |
437 |
|
2 |
Bukayo Saka |
416 |
|
3 |
Christos Tzolis |
362 |
|
4 |
Viktor Gyökeres |
29 |
|
5 |
Noni Madueke |
23 |
Gyokeres was handed a start against Ipswich Town during the recent Carabao Cup clash, but could only muster 18 touches of the ball in his 90-minute showing – highlighting his lack of positive impact.
The stats behind Gyokeres’ struggles in 2026/27
As previously mentioned, Gyokeres has seen a huge decline in minutes during the opening weeks of the season, which could well spell the end of his time in North London.
Many outsiders would argue that such a decision may be unfair given last season’s goal tally, but his stats from the ongoing campaign show why Arteta is making the right call in dropping him.
In the Premier League this campaign, the 28-year-old has ranked in the bottom 18% of all attackers in the division for shots taken – highlighting his struggles in providing consistent goals.
He’s also managed to win just 33% of the aerial battles he’s contested to date, which has often seen him fail to offer the presence Arteta craves to lead the line at the Emirates.
Gyokeres was touted as a poacher and a player who could operate between the posts and hand the Gunners a player who finally end their hunt for a new talisman.
However, his tally of 2.1 touches in the opposition box per 90 – placing him below 85% of strikers in the league – showcase his struggles in an area which he’s meant to be dominant in.
How Arsenal can land a mega Gyokeres upgrade
Throughout the summer transfer window, Arsenal were heavily touted with a move to sign Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez to improve the front line.
Their efforts to land the Argentine came after missing out on the likes of Bradley Barcola and Morgan Rogers to Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.
However, their inability to secure a deal for all three talents is what infuriated supporters during the summer and subsequently made the window a huge failure.
The board do have an opportunity to rectify their recent errors in the near future and have seemingly set their sights on a move for Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
It’s been reported by FootballTransfers that the Gunners are closely monitoring the Norwegian’s situation after the recent news that the Citizens have been found guilty of breaking 114 financial rules.
Their report suggests that Arteta’s men have already laid the foundations in place to make a move for his signature should City receive a hefty punishment in the near future.
They also state that recent efforts to land Vinicius Junior showcase their ambitions and that they would be willing to spend just as much to land the 26-year-old talisman.
Any deal for Haaland would no doubt be a club-record, but it would be worth every penny, with the forward able to hand Arteta the mega Gyokeres upgrade he’s been hunting for.
The City man managed to net 12 more goals in the Premier League last campaign, and subsequently netted 20 more goals than the Swede across all competitions.
He’s also proven to be a consistent performer in England’s top-flight since his arrival in the summer of 2022, as he’s netted 20+ goals in each of his four full seasons to date.
Haaland’s underlying stats also showcase his dominance over the Gunners’ number 14, as he registered more shots on target per 90, whilst achieving a better shot-on-target accuracy rate.
His subsequent figures ranked him in the top 8% of all players in the Premier League, leading to former boss Pep Guardiola dubbing him “the best striker in the world.”
The Norwegian international also managed to win the most aerial battles of any centre-forward in the division, which would hand Arteta the focal point he’s lacked with Gyokeres.
There’s no denying a lot would need to happen if Arsenal were to secure the attacker’s signature, but the hierarchy’s ambitions are evident as they look to right the wrongs of the summer.
Any move would see the City star become the Gunners’ main talisman for many years to come and hopefully make the senior side a force to be reckoned with in the league and Europe.