Striker Mikel Arteta had long desired a summer transfer and made his mark in north London on Saturday, though not for Arsenal. Instead, it was a day for Arsenal to reflect on the one that slipped away—Alexander Isak. Shortly after scoring for Tottenham, Isak sustained an injury, and with a hefty £125 million price tag, he has only two league goals to show for it and now faces another stint on the sidelines.
Fast forward about 90 minutes, and Arteta’s own summer signing made his presence felt. Viktor Gyokeres, acquired for £54 million, is less than half Isak’s cost but still feels overpriced. He has recorded six Premier League goals—three times Isak’s tally—though it’s worth noting that two of those came from penalties, and they may be against teams finishing in the lower half of the table. In the match against Everton, Gyokeres scored from the spot but otherwise struggled; while he showed determination, his performance lacked finesse, raising questions about the ongoing obsession over the Swedish striker.
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However, Arsenal still has a shot at the title—not solely due to him or despite him, but sometimes with him. Arteta, keen to address fan demands for a striker, must now choose wisely. By 2026, he will have options from the strikers he signed in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. That said, at least one of these players isn’t a classic centre-forward, which can complicate decisions when selecting the most effective options.
The fourth option, often overlooked and hampered by a serious injury, is Gabriel Jesus. His Arsenal tenure has been marred by injuries and goal-scoring droughts, and he is set to play his 100th game on Tuesday.
Having returned from injury, Jesus has made three brief appearances. Interestingly, while he helped set up a crucial goal against Wolves, it wasn’t scored by him. With just seven goals in his last 42 outings, his half-hour performance against Everton showcased his potential, especially when compared to Gyokeres. Jesus seemed more in sync with his teammates and more likely to contribute to attacking play.
“That’s probably Gabi’s greatest strength—his ability to connect with teammates and create uncertainty for opponents,” Arteta noted. “Against Everton, the spaces he was able to exploit were telling. We need to take full advantage of that.”
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This was a reminder of the impactful player Arsenal bought in 2022, the one who immediately uplifted the team’s morale. However, while his peak goal tally for a season with Arsenal has been 11, Gyokeres boasted an impressive 97 goals in two years with Sporting CP, a figure that now appears inflated due to the weaknesses within the Portuguese league.
“It’s been a challenging journey,” Arteta added. “Since joining us, he has instilled belief, energy, and a fighting spirit within the team. He provided something unique that we hadn’t had, which was impressive.”
Gabriel Jesus has been in fine form on his return from a near year-long layoff (AP)
Now, Arteta believes Jesus is ready for a starting role, making the upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace an ideal opportunity—especially considering Jesus scored five of his last six goals against this very team, including a hat-trick in the same competition.
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A successful return could present Arteta with a selection headache. Another dilemma looms with Kai Havertz, who has seen limited action this season, playing only half an hour so far.
While it’s difficult to substantiate, some believe that if Havertz had been fit, he might have played in tougher fixtures earlier this season, such as against Liverpool, Manchester City, and away at Newcastle—games where Gyokeres struggled to make an impact.
In Havertz’s absence, Mikel Merino has showcased impressive goal-scoring skills as a makeshift striker. His aerial prowess, finishing ability, and knack for seizing opportunities mark him as a capable option, possibly even more so than Gyokeres, though Arsenal is still keen to help the Swede thrive.
Gyokeres’s penalty against Everton was his first goal in six games (PA Wire)
Yet, the overarching goal remains the pursuit of the title. Arteta’s strategy emphasizes building a well-rounded squad capable of addressing various challenges. While some positions boast clear first-choice players, others have seen more rotation. He has yet to field all four of his current striker options simultaneously, but that may soon change.
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Though he may have seemed like an afterthought, Jesus has been the go-to No 9 for both Brazil and Manchester City. Merino arguably stands as the top finisher of the group, while Havertz is the most versatile. Gyokeres, despite being expected to be a regular starter following his summer signing, may now find himself further down the pecking order. It’s likely that for crucial matches, Arteta could favor Havertz. The challenge for him will be determining the best option for each situation.