For Arsenal, it’s tough to identify a winger who can match the excitement and elite output that Vinicius Jr delivers.
So what alternatives are available to the club and sporting director Andrea Berta?
Arsenal entered this window aiming to recruit one or two forwards, and Arteta has been clear that any arrival this season must elevate the team to a higher level.
Arsenal signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge to replace the departing Leandro Trossard; the 24-year-old produced 22 goals and 29 assists across all competitions for the Belgian side last season.
Replicating that output straight away may be ambitious, but the Greek international has looked like one of the brightest performers in pre-season.
Arsenal have explored a move for Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, but Liverpool are also keen and the French club are seeking a fee in excess of £100m.
Morgan Rogers was a target before completing his £117m transfer to Chelsea from Aston Villa, but Arsenal were not prepared to go beyond £80m for the England international.
Finding genuine value is difficult, and Berta is determined to ensure any deal stacks up for the club.
Kenan Yildiz is one European option on Arsenal‘s list as they search for a left winger.
The 21-year-old impressed for Juventus in 2025-26, recording 11 goals and 10 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.
The Turkey international can operate across the front line, adding versatility that could appeal to Arteta.
He’s an unpredictable winger who can drive inside or outside, making it hard for defenders to read whether he’ll cross or shoot.
Opta stats show that, among players in Europe’s top five leagues last season, only Manchester United‘s Bruno Fernandes (98) and Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid (77) created more open-play chances than Yildiz, while only Vinicius (43) produced more chances after ball carries than Yildiz (37).
However, Yildiz has just signed a new four-year contract, and sources suggest Juventus are unwilling to sell.
Athletic Club’s Nico Williams is another player previously assessed by Arsenal who could add spark to an attack sometimes criticised for being predictable.
The Spain winger is under contract with Bilbao until 2035, though reports indicate a release clause exists in his deal.
Williams completed 43.8% of his 153 dribbles last season, scored six goals, and registered three assists in a campaign disrupted by injury.
According to Opta, he averaged 8.2 dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga; across Europe’s top five leagues, only Lamine Yamal, Kevin and Jeremy Doku averaged more.
Availability is crucial for Arteta, and with a potentially high price tag and a stop-start season, he may not be the ideal fit for the Gunners right now.
Arsenal could also persist with Tzolis on the left, while Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke can cover that role too, with Eze featuring from the left in some of Arsenal‘s biggest games late last season.