Arsenal are expected to sign a striker this summer, and not just any forward, but a conventional, old-school number nine. That much is clear.
Victor Gyökeres and Benjamin Šeško have dominated the headlines in recent weeks as the Gunners’ top targets. Supporters are already familiar with both players, having seen countless reports detailing their current transfer situations. Arsenal are believed to be unconvinced about Gyökeres, which is why Šeško remains their preferred option. However, negotiations for the Slovenian international are proving difficult.
Given these challenges, it would be wise for the Gunners to broaden their search and explore alternative options. Here are three viable candidates the club should seriously consider.
Mateo Retegui – Serie A’s breakout striker
The Italian international was a standout performer in Serie A last season. Having joined Atalanta from Genoa in summer 2024, Retegui delivered a remarkable debut campaign in Italy’s top flight. He scored 25 goals in 36 appearances, claiming the Golden Boot.
What makes him such a compelling option is his natural finishing instinct in the box, high-energy pressing, and ability to create chances for teammates. These are all attributes that would translate well into Mikel Arteta’s system. Retegui’s name should be firmly on the shortlist.
Watkins and Osimhen – Proven quality with different strengths
Ollie Watkins is another option that makes considerable sense. He is proven in the Premier League, brings valuable experience, and would inject running power into the attack. Whether it’s ball striking, aerial ability, or counter-attacking threat, the England international ticks plenty of boxes.
Arsenal have shown interest in him before, even submitting a bid in January. With a clear understanding of his situation, signing Watkins, either as a main man or alongside Šeško, could significantly boost Arsenal’s forward line.
Victor Osimhen remains a puzzling omission from Arsenal’s plans. The Nigerian is arguably the most complete striker currently available. While his high wages and contract dispute with Napoli complicated matters, he spent last season at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances and helping them secure a domestic double.
His electric pace, predatory instinct, and infectious charisma could elevate Arsenal’s attack to an entirely new level. At 26, he fits both the present and future mould of the club’s transfer strategy.
With all three players offering unique qualities, the question now is: who should Arsenal prioritise if a deal for Šeško or Gyökeres falls through?
For me, it has to be Victor Osimhen.
Benjamin Kenneth
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Ollie is entering his 30s, and for the price Villa is demanding, it doesn’t make sense. As for Victor, I’ve seen some of his tantrums at both nation and club level, he doesn’t fit the profile Arsenal is looking for. I’ve not watched much of Retegui but the few I’ve seen, he would be a great addition if price is not too unreasonable.
Only seen Retegui from his pathetic displays for Italy so I would take his club form in Seria A with a large salt shaker. Oshimen would be the best of the three but still a big gamble. He could be Drogba or he could be another Lugagu, a wasteful player who might or might not show up on the day. After wasting our money on Harvetz the question of which striker to sign has become problematic. The fact that our fan base remains divided and unconvinced by the choices on offer suggests that there isn’t much available on the market and how important it is to get it right. I would gamble by investing in a young prospect and spend the larger portion of the transfer fund on an attacking midfielder and a flying left or right wing back.
Goodness, a choice between 5 forwards, we can’t even toss a coin over two options!
We would have to roll a dice to choose between 5!
Our only hope is that 4 other teams take their picks first and we buy the last man standing.
And don’t anybody laugh, that may just be the way we finally act
Bring back Edu!!!!!
“Victor Osimhen remains a puzzling omission from Arsenal’s plans.”
Not really that is by design because Arteta can’t handle big personalities. He is an apprentice manager and would no know how to handle a talented player who also has set ideas.
👍👏
Retegui’s productivity in Serie A looks good, but was it inflated by penalties as Gyokeres’ was?
Watkins will be 30 years old in December, so he’d likely not able to maximize Arteta’s high-pressing tactics
As for Osimhen, I guess his facial bone fracture history makes him unappealing to EPL clubs
Another option would be Zirkzee who might be suited to Arteta’s tactics, based on his performance at Bologna
Retegui scored 4 penalties in Serie A last season
Good if he just got four easy penalties
There is still along way to go till the end of the transfer window. However i have a feeling Arsenal will continue to drag the striker saga and finally end up with second choice striker or stupid gambles that will ruin the club’s season .
Same as last season, runner up or this time 3rd or fourth.
Nothing new.
Bravo
I don ‘t like those, but three other alternatives might be: Jonathan David, Metata of Palace & BHA’s Pedro.
If we are team that we consider to be one that creates chances, all we need is someone to convert them. We don’t need a world class Haaland, Mbape or Izak, just e decent goal scorer.
I am amazed we have not moved for Jonathan David nor Sarr of Palace who is very underrated.I watched him 7 times last season and he impressed in every match.Can play on the wing or through the centre.
Great shout! Didn’t see this before posting about David myself. David is free and an Arsenal fan and Mateta has proven EPL track record. I really don’t understand not going for David. Literally nothing to lose.
We are going to need all of them having seen our opening 6 games of the season, absolutely brutal.
Wait for the fixture list has an agenda/ bias lol
The conspiracy BS has already begun.🤣
Jax,
I wonder how many of our first six games a certain Mr Oliver is going to referee. Surely the Manchester City game is a shoo-in.😂🤣🙄🤦♂️👍
Like you GB,
I referred to our first six games on another post. Still not to worry, win all six and the league is as good as ours. 🤣😂👍
The new season fixture list “hard to believe the balls came out of the bags for sure”. This was exactly what Moyes said after seeing his Man Utd’s tough starting fixtures. He implied there was a conspiracy behind the screen to fire him out. Is there resemblance with this season’s Arsenal fixture list which includes Utd Liverpool City Newcastle and Forest in the first 6 fixtures. Mr Arteta buy buy buy to stay before bye!
All these strikers that we’re connected with. I really can’t understand why Lee Chapman never gets a mention.😂🤣👍
It amazes me that Jonathan David never makes it into these articles. The guy is 25 and the best pressed in Europe. In any case, I would wholeheartedly agree with Retegui and Osimhen but wouldn’t touch Watkins. It’s not that I don’t think he’s a good player, I just don’t see there being the value in the transfer for Arsenal when there are better players available.
Based on his age Watkins will only decline going forward. We have to avoid same mistakes again and again.
Osimhen is undoubtedly talented but has Rice Krispies for knees and has a definite Chelsea look about him. Jonathan David, Gyökeres, and Sesko at least ‘look’ like Arsenal players. Don’t really understand why Vlahovic is now off the table. I know he rejected Arsenal but so did Sesko…
For me if it’s not Sesko I will be disappointed. He’s the biggest out the lot and has the best long range strikes. Hes surprising agile and good at dribbling for his height and he looks like he will enjoy the physicality of the premier league. Watkins is a massive no for me. If we are buying from the prem then I would go with Mateta as a few people have already mentioned. If we can get him and Eze we would be formidable
Thierry Henry was someone’s flop and kante was a nobody. The managers who signed them knew what they were doing. Arteta is a learner.
Looks like Arsenal’s transfer Plan is in disarray! There are 3 key positions they need to fill up & they have not done even one so far! May be no money available so they are just creating noise in the media to keep the fans happy?
Vithal,
If as you say that the club are making noise in the media to keep the fans happy?, it’s not working very well is it.
And if that’s true, and your other statement of no money, and no signings by the start of the season. Then the fans are going to be apoplectic in that scenario.
They’ve got the money but unlike some clubs, they seem to be inept at getting on with a lot of the said deals. While there’s a lot to be negotiated regards transfer’s, Arsenal’s transfers in the most part always seems to take an age.
But I just look and listen to all the speculation, and just wait to see who appears in the team photo. It’s a lot less stressful that way I find.
Then if the club hasn’t had a good transfer window, then that’s the time it’s open season on the criticism that they’ll more than deserve.