It is becoming increasingly clear who should lead the line for Arsenal next season. Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz have both endured their struggles for Arsenal this season, but another forward has emerged as the ideal candidate.
Gyokeres finds form, but Alvarez shines brighter
Viktor Gyokeres' transformation in an Arsenal shirt over the past fortnight has been remarkable. With talk over whether the Gunners invested £55million wisely on Gyokeres last summer rambling on for much of the season, Mikel Arteta's decision to sign the striker has only recently been justified. The Swede has found his form at the most crucial point in the campaign, scoring twice against Fulham, converting a high-pressure 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 or the Champions League trophy, Gyokeres will deservedly be credited for his impact. Yet, for all his tireless jostling with defenders and running into the channels, another forward on the pitch effortlessly stood out in the Champions League semi-final encounter.
Alvarez's all-round display
Central to almost everything positive Diego Simeone's side created in the opening leg was Julian Alvarez. The Argentina star, as he has managed against other sides throughout the season, gave Arsenal's usually dominant centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba problems all evening. Having struck the woodwork in their meeting earlier this season, he repeatedly troubled David Raya at the Metropolitano Stadium and slotted home the penalty to cancel out Gyokeres' own emphatic spot-kick. He led his side with six efforts on goal and three chances created, while he was second only to Samuel Lino in completed dribbles.
Alvarez proved a menace with his movement between the lines and a persistent danger thanks to his natural goal-scoring instinct. It was the perfect all-round display many associate with a classic Arsenal forward. The Gunners were fortunate that the 26-year-old's ankle injury restricted him in the second leg before he was withdrawn in the second half, eliminating Atletico's attacking threat. He showed exactly why he is a World Cup and treble winner - and why Andrea Berta should make bringing him to the Emirates Stadium permanently in the summer a top priority.
Berta's key role
The Italian would have been fully aware of Alvarez's ability even before this season's encounters with Atletico, having orchestrated his transfer to the Spanish capital during his tenure as the club's sporting director in the summer of 2024. In a largely underwhelming striker market, Alvarez represents a genuinely world-class option, capable of combining play and scoring from distance - something only Eberechi Eze has managed regularly.
He has scored 20 goals in all competitions this campaign, just one fewer than Gyokeres, while offering far more in terms of his all-round play. At times, Arteta has been accused of fielding 10-men due to the Swede's lack of involvement for long stretches.
Havertz not the answer
Kai Havertz appeared at one stage to be the solution following his comeback from injury. Yet the same familiar concerns persist with the German: he lacks that ruthless edge in front of goal and has been unable to maintain his fitness consistently over the past 18 months.
Financial hurdles and competition
There remains the issue of the Gunners having to pay a fortune for Alvarez, with some reports suggesting Atletico could demand £100m for their talisman. They will also face competition from Barcelona for his signature, with the La Liga champions understood to be targeting him as their long-term successor to Robert Lewandowski. But this is precisely where Berta must prove his worth. Arsenal could finish the season as both English and European champions. Now is exactly the right moment to capitalise on that, drawing in the finest talent on the continent while ensuring they have a stronger starting XI come next season.
Alvarez's preference and fit
Some reports claim Alvarez's preference is to play his football in Spain but he only left Manchester City two years ago because Erling Haaland was blocking his path to the first team. Arsenal do not have a Haaland, and the Argentine forward still managed 36 goals in 103 appearances for City. As for Gyokeres, bringing in Alvarez hands Arteta the flexibility to deploy two very different types of striker depending on the opposition. Arsenal have played over 60 matches this season, meaning there are plenty of minutes to be shared around too.
Havertz can serve as a valuable alternative, able to feature alongside either forward or in the middle of the park, provided he remains injury-free. But there's little question that Alvarez would be the primary option, marking a return to the days when Arsenal boasted a genuine world-class talent spearheading the attack in the mould of Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
