Mikel Arteta is chasing a big name striker this summer. (Image: Getty)
Mikel Arteta may have to choose between three world-class strikers this summer as he bids to land the firepower to take Arsenal to the Premier League title next season. For the third campaign in a row, the Gunners were runners-up in 2024/25, finishing 10 points behind champions Liverpool.
The Spanish boss has long been criticised for failing to sign an out-and-out goalscorer since taking over from Unai Emery in late December 2019. Last season, Kai Havertz topped the Premier League goalscoring for the Gunners with just nine. The club have already taken steps to address the issue this summer and are in talks with the representatives of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Sporting CP striker Gyokeres, 27, reportedly favours a move to north London but is in dispute with his club over his transfer valuation. RB Leipzig man Sesko, 22, nearly joined Arsenal last summer and is also said to want a big-money move.
Both players are expected to cost more than £60million. However, according to The Mirror, Aston Villa man Ollie Watkins is also ‘keen’ on a move to the Gunners.
Arsenal had a bid for Ollie Watkins turned down in January. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal made a bid for the England international late in this year’s January transfer window. However, the timing of the attempt was strange, with the approach made in the same week that their rivals had sold forward Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Had they made an offer earlier, an agreement would have been possible.
Watkins, 29, has since gone on to become Villa’s all-time leading Premier League scorer. However, despite the sale of Duran, he was still controversially left out of Unai Emery’s starting XI for both of the Champions League quarter-final legs with Paris Saint-Germain.
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The striker later admitted to being “fuming” at the decision, and Arsenal may now have the opportunity to capitalise on his discontent. Unlike Gyokeres and Sesko, Watkins is proven in England’s top flight and has 87 goals in 223 appearances for Villa.
However, his fee is likely to be higher than Arsenal’s two other targets. Watkins is contracted to his current club until the summer of 2028, and with no reported release clause, there is no pressure on Villa to negotiate a cut-price deal.
[(Monterrey) Strength]: 1. Monterrey lost to FC Cincinnati in the first round, ranking only 12th in the table. They have to win this game for a qualification spot, indicating full motivation.2. Veteran Sergio Canales scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Monterrey won 2 of the last 3 games in AH, revealing recent performances in line with expectations.[(Monterrey) N...
[(Molde FK) Strength]: 1. Molde FK are 13th in the league table, facing a risk of entering the relegation zone. Thus, they aim to take 3 points in this home game.2. Molde FK won 4-1 over Stromsgodset in the last league game at home, ending their 3-game losing streak and boosting their morale.3. In the last 5 encounters between both sides, Molde FK have the upper hand with 4 wins and 1 loss.4. The ...
[(KFUM-Kameratene Oslo) Strength]: 1. KFUM-Kameratene Oslo are 9th in the league table. Facing 5th-placed Rosenborg, they are eager to grab points in this game.2. KFUM-Kameratene Oslo won 3 league games in a row lately, with high morale. They secured a commanding 5-0 away win over Kristiansund BK in the last league game.3. KFUM-Kameratene Oslo were unbeaten with 3 wins and 1 draw in the last 4 hom...
[(Guadalajara Chivas) Strength]: 1. Guadalajara Chivas lost to New York Red Bulls in the first round. They have to go all out to win this game, if they want a qualification spot, indicating full motivation.[(Guadalajara Chivas) Neutral]: 1. Guadalajara Chivas scored 4 goals and conceded 5 in the last 3 games, revealing decent attack but unstable defense.2. Both sides have never met before, and thi...
[(HJK Helsinki) Strength]: 1. HJK Helsinki were unbeaten in the last 5 games, showing outstanding recent form.2. HJK Helsinki scored 13 goals in the last 5 games, averaging nearly 3 goals per game and indicating full offense.3. HJK Helsinki have the upper hand with 37 wins, 24 draws, and 14 losses in 75 encounters between both sides.4. HJK Helsinki won 4 of the last 5 games in AH, performing over ...
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[(FC Akron Tolyatti) Strength]: 1. FC Akron Tolyatti showed multiple scorers on offense, having 5 players who scored in two league games in the new season.2. FC Akron Tolyatti forward Gilson Tavares scored a brace in the last Russian Cup game. He is expected to perform well in this league game.3. FC Akron Tolyatti won 2-1 over Baltika Kaliningrad in the last Russian Cup game at home. They were unb...
[(Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas) Strength]: 1. As the defending champions, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas are only 7th with 26 points, far away from the top team. To get back into the title race, the team must go all out to earn points, so their desire to win is beyond doubt.2. Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas forward Arthur Cabral has performed impressively since joining from SL Benfica this summer, ...
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