Andrea Berta was officially announced as Arsenal’s new sporting director on Sunday afternoon, signalling a new era at the Emirates Stadium.
The exit of Edu towards the end of last year came as a shock to many at the club but for some, that has been a positive, chiefly Mikel Arteta who has now found himself with more power behind the scenes.
Upon Berta’s arrival, it was reported that the Italian was Arteta’s choice and that’s important considering they will have to mutually agree on how to strengthen the club.
While Edu was central to deals for players like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, he was also to blame for a poor summer window in 2024, ultimately his final venture with the Gunners.
The north Londoners have failed to sign a much-needed centre forward in the last two windows and that will be Berta’s first priority when he sits down to discuss this summer’s business.
Alexander Isak is a key target while Viktor Gyokeres’ popularity is growing among Arsenal’s recruitment team.
The latest on Viktor Gyokeres' move to Arsenal
Many a striker has been linked with the Gunners over the last year, notably Newcastle’s Isak.
Yet, with a £150m asking price, a deal seems highly unlikely to be negotiated.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is another highly touted with the club but there’s a new target in the club’s crosshairs.
That’s according to the Athletic’s David Ornstein who reported over the weekend that Arsenal are ‘developing a strong interest in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres’.
It’s noted that Gyokeres has long been admired by Arsenal’s new sporting director and as a result, he is expected to feature prominently among the names that the Gunners consider over the summer.
While signing a striker is a big priority for Arteta and Co, there’s a key target emerging in another area of the pitch.
£51m star is reportedly on his way to Arsenal
Signing Gyokeres would be hugely exciting but there is also the need to improve in midfield with the likes of Thomas Partey and Jorginho out of contract this summer.
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Mikel Merino was acquired nearly a year ago but hasn’t set the world alight as a number 8, forcing Rice to play further forward.
As a consequence of all of that, Arsenal have been looking to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Reports over the winter suggested that Arsenal had been working on a deal to bring the Spaniard to the club and that a move was advanced.
Since then, several claims have indicated that he’s set to come to English football in a few months’ time, with Arsenal leading the race for his signature.
Now, according to a new report in Spain, a move looks all but official. Via Marca, Spanish journalist Oscar Badallo reported during Sociedad’s latest game with Real Valladolid that the 26-year-old is “on his way to Arsenal.”
Previous reports have suggested a deal could be done in the region of £51m, which is the player’s release clause.
How Gyokeres and Zubimendi would benefit Arsenal
Arsenal have not been too far off winning the league over the last three seasons but there’s always been a feeling that they’re just a couple of players short.
The attack has been one of the biggest problems, notably this season, where main man Bukayo Saka has missed the last three months with a hamstring problem.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are also out for the season, which after Arsenal didn’t sign a new striker in January has led to Merino filling the void.
So, adding a centre forward has always been the primary objective. To be quite honest, it doesn’t necessarily matter who they sign because anyone would be an upgrade on makeshift Merino.
However, with Isak looking off the table due to his price tag, Gyokeres would surely be the next best thing. Why? Well, he’s one of the most prolific forwards in the game.
In fact, across all first division football worldwide in 2024, no player scored more than Gyokeres’ 36 goals.
Added to that, the Swedish powerhouse is the sixth-highest goal scorer in first division football throughout 2025, finding the net on 12 occasions in ten games.
1. Alex (Dewa United)
17
2. Mohanad Ali (Al Shorta)
15
3. Marcos Leonardo (Al Hilal)
14
4. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
13
5. Ivan Toney (Al Ahli)
13
6. Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting)
12
7. Mika Biereth (Monaco)
12
8. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
12
He’s certainly a freak of nature when it comes to scoring goals, beating the goalkeeper on 42 occasions in as many games this season.
So, on that basis, he could well be the missing piece of the puzzle as far as Arsenal are concerned.
However, in order for the former Coventry City star to get those goal-scoring opportunities, he needs his teammates to exert control and in Zubimendi, they’d get that in abundance.
Described as “one of the best central midfielders in the world” by Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, he could be the Rodri-esque signing Arsenal could make in order to take their team to the next level.
He’s a Jorginho-type sitting midfielder who has a beautiful passing range, knows how to evade the press and can playmake from deep. He’s like Rodri, just a little less physical.
Boasting a fine all-round game, the Spain international ranks within the best 15% of midfielders in LaLiga for progressive passes per 90 minutes this season, the top 18% for aerial duels won and the best 6% for take-on success.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
What we can establish from that is that he’s a capable dribbler, he doesn’t back out from duels and he can play the ball forward. Very often sitting players like Zubimendi can be criticised for playing sideways but that certainly isn’t the case here. He ranks in the top 21% of positionally similar players in Spain’s top-flight for passes into the final third per 90.
On this evidence, Gyokeres need not worry about the speed of Arsenal’s transition from defence to attack. You take a look at Zubimendi, Rice and Martin Odegaard and see three players who want to pass forward.
These potential arrivals could be game-changers in Arsenal’s pursuit of winning the Premier League title next term.
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1 ByMatt DawsonMar 30, 2025
