Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are facing a big striker transfer decision for the upcoming summer window. The Gunners have been linked to numerous marquee forwards over the last few trading periods with it appearing as though it could be Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are the final two options.
The race to sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was being led by Arsenal last summer but he opted to stay in Germany and sign a new contract. Isak of Newcastle and Sporting CP’s Gyokeres meanwhile, were strongly linked to moves elsewhere with Arsenal interested in both.
Gyokeres has made a lightening start to the season but his future has become uncertain following Ruben Amorim’s moves to Manchester United. As for Isak, injury saw a mixed start to his 2024/25 campaign derailed further but he has since recovered from that with a bang, scoring in each of his last four appearances.
Both players have continued that form on international duty with Gyokeres and Isak scoring from a pass by the other in the 2-1 Nations League win over Serbia. The two strikers have built up quite an impressive partnership on the international stage but Arsenal can only sign one of those and that decision could be made imminently.
On Tuesday evening, Sweden are back in action this time against Azerbaijan with the expectation being that both will start. Though it may not ultimately decide the striker Arsenal look to sign, watching both at the same time could help Arteta and Co. make their final decision.
A January move for either looks unlikely just because of their importance and the likely demands that will come with a mid-season exit to be sanctioned. Gyokeres himself has already explicitly ruled out that possibility when asked about his future.
“I want to finish this season at Sporting,” he said recently. “I love it here. New club? We will see when the time comes. I want to play, that’s crucial… and there will be also other factors.” Both players will get at least one opportunity to impress Arteta in the flesh with Isak having already made an impact.
The 25-year-old scored the only goal of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Newcastle last month at St James’ Park. The return fixture meanwhile, is the penultimate game of the season with next summer’s window opening just a month later.
As for Gyokeres, Sporting will play host to Arsenal in just seven days for a Champions League clash. The 26-year-old’s last appearance against English opposition saw him score a hat-trick with the Portuguese champions demolishing Manchester City 4-1.
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