Arsenal secures their first major transfer signing as a £70m star rejects last-minute offers from Manchester City and Liverpool to join Arsenal on a 6-year deal.

Reflecting on January, Arsenal’s urgent need for a center-forward was evident. Their lack of a dependable striker during the festive period likely cost them the league title. In December,

Arsenal played against West Ham and, despite having 30 attempts on goal, failed to score and lost the match. This match underscored their struggle to convert chances into goals at that time.
However, Arsenal’s fortunes improved in the latter half of the season as they vied with Manchester City for the Premier League title. In their subsequent match against West Ham, they scored six goals. While Arsenal ultimately missed out on the title, they finished the campaign as the second-highest scorers with 91 goals.
Given this improvement, the question arises: Is a new forward still necessary? Although it might not be as urgent, recent reports suggest some exciting developments.

Arsenal’s Search for a New Striker
Initially, it seemed that Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko would join Arsenal this summer.

The RB Leipzig forward had a reasonable release clause, and it appeared that Arsenal just needed to pay the fee to secure the transfer. However, Sesko is now set to stay in Germany and sign a new deal with Leipzig.

As a result, Arsenal has shifted their focus to Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres. Their interest in the Sporting striker has been known for some time, but now they have intensified their pursuit. Reports indicate that Gyokeres is “on the verge” of signing with Arsenal, suggesting that the club is close to securing his services.
Arsenal’s pursuit of a reliable center-forward has been a recurring theme, especially after their struggles in the early part of last season highlighted the need for a clinical finisher. Despite a remarkable improvement in their goal-scoring form later in the campaign, with a stunning six-goal performance against West Ham underscoring their attacking potential, the Gunners ultimately fell short in their title bid. This has reignited discussions about the necessity of a new striker to provide consistent cutting-edge quality in high-pressure situations.

### **Arsenal’s Striker Options**
1. **Benjamin Sesko:**
The Slovenian striker from RB Leipzig was initially a top target for Arsenal, with his release clause providing a seemingly straightforward path to securing his signature. However, recent developments indicate that Sesko will remain at Leipzig and sign a new deal, ruling out the possibility of a move to North London.

2. **Viktor Gyökeres:**
Arsenal has turned their attention to Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who currently plays for Sporting CP. Known for his physicality, pace, and ability to link up play, Gyökeres has been in impressive form, making him an attractive option for Arsenal. Reports suggest that negotiations have advanced significantly, with Gyökeres “on the verge” of joining the Gunners. His addition could provide the versatility and goal-scoring threat Arsenal need to compete at the highest level.

### **Why Arsenal Still Needs a Striker**
– **Consistency in Key Matches:**
Arsenal’s inability to score despite creating numerous chances, as seen in the December loss to West Ham, highlights a need for a forward who can deliver under pressure.

– **Depth and Rotation:**
Competing on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups, demands squad depth. A proven striker like Gyökeres would reduce the burden on Gabriel Jesus and others.

– **Finishing Touch in Tight Games:**
While Arsenal finished the season with 91 goals, many of those came in dominant wins. A clinical forward could make the difference in tighter, high-stakes matches.

### **The Impact of Gyökeres**
If Arsenal completes the signing of Gyökeres, it would signal their intent to address any lingering gaps in their squad. His ability to operate as a target man or in a more mobile role aligns well with Arsenal’s dynamic attacking style under Mikel Arteta. Moreover, his experience in top-flight European football positions him as a player capable of adapting to the demands of the Premier League.

### **Looking Ahead**
While Arsenal has shown they can score goals as a unit, the addition of a striker like Gyökeres could elevate their consistency and make them genuine title contenders. The Gunners have already built a formidable foundation, and securing a reliable goal-scorer could be the final piece in their quest for silverware. With Gyökeres reportedly close to joining, Arsenal fans will hope he can be the player to turn promising performances into decisive victories.