The summer of 2025 saw several of England’s top clubs pursue leading strikers, with Arsenal considering a number of options before eventually settling on Viktor Gyokeres.
One player Arsenal fans had long expected the club to sign was Alexander Isak, but it was clear that Newcastle United would demand a record fee to allow him to leave. Arsenal were not prepared to spend that amount on a striker, which meant their interest did not result in a deal.
Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko were also among the options. Sesko had been a serious target for the Gunners twelve months earlier and may have expected Arsenal to return for him during the summer.
Liverpool secure two striker targets
However, Arsenal did not make a move for Sesko, who instead joined Manchester United. Liverpool, meanwhile, signed both Isak and Ekitike after losing players including Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez.
The Reds spent heavily to bring in both strikers, with Ekitike impressing last season before suffering an ACL injury. Isak, meanwhile, has been in strong form this season, further highlighting the attacking options Liverpool secured during the summer.
Arsenal’s decision to sign Gyokeres has since attracted attention, particularly because the striker has not always been trusted to start matches since the campaign began. Jay Bothroyd believes Arsenal should have pursued either Isak or Ekitike instead.
Bothroyd identifies Arsenal’s alternatives
Bothroyd also discussed Julian Alvarez, another attacker he believes would have suited Arsenal. He explained his view while speaking via Caught Offside, saying that Alvarez was exactly the type of player Arsenal needed.
“When I look at Julian Alvarez, I think he is exactly what Arsenal needed.
“I wanted to get Alexander Isak from Newcastle; I think that was the perfect signing.
“Then Hugo Ekitike, that was a perfect signing.”
Bothroyd’s comments highlight the range of attacking options Arsenal had available during that summer. While the club ultimately chose Gyokeres, Isak and Ekitike were among the alternatives that could have strengthened their forward line.
The decision not to pursue those players has become a talking point, particularly as both have made significant contributions since joining Liverpool. For Arsenal, Gyokeres remains the striker they chose, while the performances of other options will continue to provide a point of comparison throughout the campaign.
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So his idea is choosing between 2 injury prone strikers Liverpool signed, or Sesko who is still not the finished article?
Gabriel Jesus and Havertz are injured enough; almost a guarantee like Saka every season. Last thing we need is replacing injury-prone strikers with more injury prone strikers.
As for Alvarez, the less said about that entitled crybaby the better. Average in PL, basically dropped at Ath Madrid, and when he has come on he looks flat and out of form. Pass on this guy, and go for a talented player who actually wants to be at Arsenal.
Did someone mention the “A” word?
Why would anyone be daft enough to mention the “A” word. 🤷♀️
Alvarez!😠😠😠😠😠
“Could have been, would have been”
Anyone can say that sort of thing. Isak (~£125m) ended up scoring 1 goal over the whole campaign last season due to his awful injury. Ekitike (~£70m) scored 11. Gyokeres, for £55m, scored 14.
Imagine the other sort of frustration we’d have if we spent £195m on Isak and Ekitike last summer and it panned out the way it did 🙂
There are very few absolute certainties in football, or life – but one is that if you spend half your transfer budget on a player you definitely want that player to provide quick returns.
One thing missing from the article is the wishes and actions of the players themselves.
The power of the player was seen in the way Gyokeres, Isak, Alvares and Sesko acted to get the move they wanted.
Gyokeres went on strike, refused to join in pre season training and made it clear the only club he wanted to join was The Arsenal and even dumped his girkfriend when she objected.
Isak exactly the same scenario (minus the girlfriend).
So why would any other club think about persuading these two players from changing their mindset ?
Alvarez made it abundantly clear that the only move he wanted was Barca and despite the endless speculation that our club could persuade him otherwise, he refused to leave AM – what a waste of time and energy by our club in my opinion.
Sesko was,reportedly, making extraordinary demands regarding guaranteed playing times and length of contract and in this instant it seems the club said enough is enough and manure stepped in.
So it’s not about what the club wants , the defining factor is what the player wants and what he’s prepared to do to get what he wants…..including holding his current employers to ransom!!
I’m sure my fellow Gooner David will agree that Mikel is not to blame?!?!