Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz should take a backseat for Julian Alvarez (Image: Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres’ turnaround in an Arsenal shirt over the past fortnight has been nothing short of remarkable. With debate surrounding whether the Gunners invested their £55million wisely on Gyokeres last summer dragging on for much of the season, Mikel Arteta’s choice to sign the striker has only lately been justified. The Swede has found his form at the most crucial juncture of the campaign, bagging a brace against Fulham, converting a penalty against Atletico Madrid and producing his finest display in an Arsenal shirt yet in the second leg.
Should Arsenal ultimately lift the Premier League trophy or the Champions League, Gyokeres will deservedly be celebrated for his contributions. Yet for all of his tireless tussling with defenders and surging through the channels, another striker on the pitch comfortably stole the show in the Champions League semi-final encounter. Central to virtually everything promising Diego Simeone’s side mustered in the opening leg was Julian Alvarez.
The Argentine, as he has done to rival teams throughout the entire season, caused Arsenal’s typically commanding defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba problems right across the contest.
Having struck the woodwork in their earlier meeting this season, he repeatedly troubled David Raya at the Metropolitano Stadium and converted the penalty to level after Gyokeres’ own emphatic spot-kick. He spearheaded his side with six shots taken and three opportunities fashioned, while he was second only to Samuel Lino in successful dribbles completed.
Alvarez proved a menace with his intelligent movement between the lines and remained a persistent danger owing to his clinical finishing ability. It was the complete display many would expect from a classic Arsenal forward.
The Gunners were fortunate that the 26-year-old’s ankle problem restricted him for large periods of the second leg before his eventual withdrawal in the latter stages, effectively blunting Atletico’s attacking potency.
He demonstrated precisely why he is both a World Cup and treble winner – and why Andrea Berta ought to make securing his permanent move to the Emirates Stadium a priority this summer.
The Italian would have been fully cognisant of Alvarez’s abilities even prior to this season’s encounters with Atletico, having orchestrated his switch to the Spanish capital while serving as the club’s sporting director in the summer of 2024.
In a largely underwhelming striker market, Alvarez represents a genuinely world-class alternative, adept at combining play and scoring from distance – something only Eberechi Eze has achieved with any regularity.
Julian Alvarez would be a blockbuster signing for Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
He has netted 20 goals across all competitions this season, merely one behind Gyokeres, while contributing considerably more through his complete performances. On occasion, Arteta has faced criticism for effectively fielding 10 players due to the Swede’s limited contribution during extended periods.
Kai Havertz at one stage looked to be the solution, following his comeback from injury. Yet the familiar concerns persist with the German: he lacks that ruthless edge in front of goal and has been unable to maintain fitness consistently over the past 18 months.
The issue remains of the Gunners needing to pay a substantial fee for Alvarez, with certain reports indicating Atletico could demand £100m for their star player. They will also face competition from Barcelona for his services, with the La Liga champions understood to be considering him as their long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski.
However, this is where Berta must demonstrate his credentials. Arsenal could finish the year as both English and European champions. This is precisely the moment to exploit that advantage, drawing the finest talent on the continent, while ensuring they possess a stronger starting XI next season.
Certain reports suggest Alvarez’s preference is to ply his trade in Spain, though he only departed Manchester City two years ago because Erling Haaland was preventing him from featuring regularly. Arsenal do not have a Haaland and the Argentine forward still notched 36 goals in 103 appearances for City.
Regarding Gyokeres, the acquisition of Alvarez provides Arteta with the flexibility to deploy two distinctly different types of striker depending on the opposition. Arsenal have contested over 60 matches this season, meaning there are sufficient minutes available for both.
Havertz can serve as a valuable third choice, able to operate alongside either forward or in midfield, provided he remains injury-free.
But there is no doubt that Alvarez would emerge as the primary option, signalling a return to the days when Arsenal possessed a genuinely world-class player spearheading the attack in the mould of Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.