It seems like the only transfer news surrounding Arsenal these past few months have been about their hunt for a striker. Multiple names have been mentioned, such as Isak, Seško and Keane. Now that Berta has been announced as Arsenal’s new Sporting Director, following Edu’s departure last year, Gyökeres has been heavily linked with the Gunners. The Swede is having another stellar season for Sporting with 53 goal contributions in 42 games in all competitions. But is he the right profile for Arteta’s system?

The striker profile for Arsenal has evolved a lot in a relatively short amount of time. 3 years ago, Gabriel Jesus was leading the line for Arsenal. At first, Jesus’s signing was a masterstroke by Arteta but as Arsenal’s reputation grew, their opponents adapted their tactics. They started using a low block and pushing Arsenal out wide. Arteta quickly understood that Jesus was not doing the trick anymore. He needed height in the middle, and with Jesus only standing at 5’9, he would hardly win any headers against towering center backs. Therefore, Arsenal signed Havertz, a 6’4 striker, in the 2023 summer window. Theoretically, Havertz is the ideal profile for Arteta, as he brings height and physicality to the strike-force and can play as a false nine, like Jesus. Basically killing two birds with one stone. However, it quickly became clear that Havertz’s unreliability in front of goal would cost Arsenal long term. This is what brings us to today and Gyökeres being linked to the North London outfit.

Similar to Havertz, Gyökeres is tall, standing at 6’2. He has prior experience in England playing for Brighton, Swansea and Coventry City. He has a record of scoring goals in elite competitions. Is adept of bringing people into play with his smart movement and intelligent decision making. He is a capped international player. Oh, and he also scored a hat-trick against City in the Champions League this season. On paper sounds like the perfect Arsenal striker. Feels like a no brainer for Arsenal. But does he fit Arteta’s tactics? Arteta needs his striker to be able to bring players into play, have smart movement, be a focal point of the attack and of course be a fox in the box. According to FbRef, Gyökeres ranks in the 96th percentile of goals scored in Europe this season, 95th percentile in Expect Assists, 98th percentile in shot creating actions and 97th percentile in progressive passes received. These numbers demonstrate firstly, his goalscoring ability, his willingness but also intelligence to be a provider for his teammates and lastly his intelligent movement and appreciation of space.

Reportedly, Sporting lowered the asking price from $100 million to $60 million for the Swede a few weeks ago. Compared to Arsenal’s other striking options, $60 million is not that much. Isak is valued at $150 million and Seško at $80 million. By spending less on a striker it allows Arsenal to sign other targets this summer, such as Nico Williams and Zubimendi.

On paper it seems as if Gyökeres is the perfect striker for Arsenal. He fits Arteta’s system to a tee and has a reasonable price tag. The only problem, however, is for Berta and his ability to convince Gyökeres to join Arsenal instead of his other suitors. Berta has had previous experience in signing world class strikers for Atletico Madrid, such as Morata and Suarez. This should fill Arsenal fans with some confidence, heading into the last few months before the opening of the transfer window. All we can do now is wait and see what the transfer window unveils. But, one thing is certain, no one can predict what the summer transfer window has in store for us.