Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for a third successive season in 2024-25 – but the fact that Liverpool leapfrogged them was undoubtedly frustrating.
In 2022-23, the Gunners were runners-up with 84 points, five points behind champions Manchester City. A year later, they improved to 89 points, closing the gap to Pep Guardiola's side to two points.
The 2024-25 campaign looked like their big opportunity, then, as Manchester City fell away – only for Arsenal to slip back to 74 points, while Liverpool became champions with 84.
For most of the past three seasons, the talk has been whether Arsenal needed a new striker to further enhance their chances of winning the title.
Only once in those three campaigns has any Gunners player hit 20 goals in all competitions during a single campaign – winger Bukayo Saka in 2023-24.
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas thinks that the decision not to sign another forward may have held them back.
"Arsenal have been looking for a striker for, I don't know exactly how long, but I know that a top class striker should have arrived at Arsenal two or three years ago, and they didn't sign one," he said. "They obviously didn't think it was that important to add a top class striker.
"I think that, when you look at their season, unfortunately, they didn't want the Premier League badly enough on a couple of occasions where they came close – last season, and also two years ago. They didn't want it enough to go and add that last missing piece of the puzzle.
"Now they are being linked with strikers again, just like they were in January. I hope they do get one of the strikers they want, because I hope they want the same thing every fan wants, which is to win the Premier League next season."
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have been among those linked, but asked which striker in particular would be perfect for Arsenal, a name sprung to mind immediately for Gallas.
"If they want to have a chance at winning the league next season, for me, it depends on if they go and sign a striker who knows the Premier League very well and has proven they can score the right amount of goals at the top level," he said, speaking in association with Genting Casino.
"I think the only player who fits that description right now is Alexander Isak. I know it will cost a lot of money, but he constantly scores more than 20 goals and seems to keep improving each year in the Premier League.
"So Arsenal should break the bank for him. He is the last piece of the puzzle, I feel, a perfect striker."
Arsenal’s hopes of landing one of their top striker targets this summer have taken a significant blow, with BBC journalist Sami Mokbel stating that the Gunners have “less than a 2% chance” of completing the deal during this transfer window.Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are actively searching for a new centre-forward to add a clinical edge to the squad ahead of t...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Let's see at the statistics of the 4 Lords. And Man City are back. PSG are reportedly helping save Lyon from RELEGATION to Ligue 2! PALMEIRAS BEAT BOTAFOGO IN EXTRA TIME TO REACH THE LAST EIGHT OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have The HARDEST ROUTE to The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup FINAL! It took a long delay and extra time, but Chel...
Williams demands guarantee from Barca amid fears of Olmo situationAccording to Marca, Nico Williams has reportedly informed Athletic Club through his agent that he wants to don the Barcelona shirt from next season and is close to signing a six-year contract. However, the player reportedly wants a guarantee from Barca that they will be able to register him with La Liga after triggering his release ...
ATLANTA -- Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique warned his players against ignoring the offensive threats of Inter Miami in Sunday's Club World Cup round-of-16 match, emphasizing the damage that can be done by experienced stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets."Anyone who relaxes for 10 seconds in football already knows where they are. It's not like there's no dou...
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen to bring in his former colleague Acacio Valentim as part of a coaching reshuffle.The Portuguese boss is eager to avoid another disappointing season following a wretched first year in charge. In his debut season, Amorim led the Red Devils to a 14th place finish in the Premier League and suffered defeat in the Europa League final against Spur...
Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-NassrAl-Nassr have reached an agreement with veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus and look set to announce him as their new manager.The Saudi Pro League club have been looking for a new manager following Stefano Pioli’s decision to step down and return to Italy with Fiorentina.Jesus, 70, who left Al-Hilal at the end of the 2024-25 campa...
Raphinha keen to see Nico Williams at BarcelonaBarcelona winger Raphinha was full of praise for reported target Nico Williams as the club step up their pursuit of the Spain international.Barcelona are working tirelessly to bring the 22-year-old to the Camo Nou having been heavily linked with him for the past two years.Williams is understood to be keen on the move but his current club, Athletic, ar...
Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid won't take Juventus lightlyTrent Alexander-Arnold says Real Madrid players are determined to win the Club World Cup.Real will meet Juventus in the tournament's round of 16 this weekend.New fullback signing Alexander-Arnold declared: "Both are very good teams (City and Juve), not least because they made it through the group stage."It's always going to be tough, no matt...
Pogba drops fresh Monaco move teaser onlinePaul Pogba has hinted he's set to undergo his medical with AS Monaco.The France international is due to sign for Monaco as a free agent after he passes his medical tests in the Principality.Pogba has dropped a hint on social media about his activities amid reports that he is due in France this weekend to complete his return to football.Pogba posted a self...
Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World CupBarcelona ace Raphinha has criticised the sheer number of game top clubs are having to play as the FIFA Club World Cup reaches the latter stages.Barcelona missed out on a place in the FIFA Club World Cup due to their poor performances in recent Champions League campaign.Raphinha doesn’t appear to be too bothered, however, hitting...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 3 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 4 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target
- 5 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 6 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 7 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 8 Alfie makes clear Haaland commitment to Man City
- 9 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 10 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025