Arsenal's Striker Saga: Worth the Wait?

It's no secret that Arsenal are desperate for a striker. The Gunners have been crying out for a number 9, and long gone are the days when they could trust the likes of Ian Wright, Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie to bag 20+ goals a season.

Having finished runners-up to the past 3 league champions, Mikel Arteta's side are looking for a goal machine that could possibly elevate the London club to their first title since 2003/04.

But with signing that prolific scorer easier said than done, the hesitation to fork out a huge fee is understandable given the limited nature of the market at present.

We take a look at who the Gunners have been linked with so far this summer and if they fit Arteta's style of play.

A Number of Links

Arsenal have faced the same problem now for a number of seasons - the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz & Leandro Trossard cannot be relied on over the course of 38 games to lead the side to the Premier league title.

For that reason, a number of strikers have been linked with a move to the Emirates over the last number of years. We take a look at those linked in recent years.

Ivan Toney

Arsenal held a long-term interest in the England International before his move to Saudi Arabia last summer. However the price tag Brentford set prevented any such move.

Toney was seen as a strong candidate due to his proven Premier League goal-scoring record. He bagged 20 goals in 33 appearances for Brentford in the 2022-23 season.

Several factors hindered the transfer however, reports suggested Arteta prioritized team chemistry, and some sources claimed Arsenal found Toney’s personality incompatible with their current group.

While Toney was a prime target for Arsenal, concerns over cost, FFP, and squad chemistry, combined with his eventual move to Saudi Arabia put an end to the possible move.

Victor Osimhen

The Nigerian goal-machine has been consistently linked with Arsenal with transfer speculation driven by his prolific goal-scoring form and the Gunners ongoing search for a high-profile No. 9.

Arsenal’s interest in Osimhen intensified in 2024 as Arteta sought a clinical striker to elevate the team’s attack. The 26-year-old, then at Napoli, was seen as a prime target due to his impressive record of 76 goals in 133 appearances for the Serie A side.

His €130 million release clause was a significant barrier that Arsenal were hesitant to pay for a player with no Premier League experience. Surprisingly, after a fallout with manager Antonio Conte, he then joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan in the summer of 2024.

After excelling in Turkey with 26 goals in 30 appearances, Osimhen's future remains a hot topic, with a permanent exit from Napoli expected this summer.

The Nigerian has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, with Arsenal frequently cited as a preferred destination, however his €12 million-per-season wage demands and high agent fees make the transfer challenging.

We will have to see how the next few weeks play out with no concrete move confirmed as of now.

Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal identified Sesko as a key target in 2024, the 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker, known for his 6’5” frame, speed, and aerial ability, scored 21 goals and provided six assists in 45 appearances during the 2024-25 season.

Leipzig’s failure to qualify for the Champions League had opened the door to a possible move, but speculation was cooled after the Slovenian striker signed a new contract with the German side until 2029.

But Arsenal’s interest persisted, with reports of ongoing talks with Leipzig. They faced a number of challenges though, as the German clubs asking price of 70 million was above their budget.

Saudi club Al-Hilal emerged as a threat, offering Sesko a lucrative deal, but he rebuffed their approach, signalling a preference for a European move.

As Arsenal begin to prioritise other targets, Sesko’s transfer to the Premier League appears less likely, as Leipzig’s high valuation and Arsenal’s preference for others have shifted their focus.

Sesko’s high valuation and wage demands, combined with Leipzig’s firm stance have stalled progress and a deal this summer looks unlikely. But with the big Slovenian's encouraging age profile and impressive goal record, a move to the Premier League in the future may be on the cards.

Is Viktor Gyokeres the Answer?

Formerly of Coventry City, Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as Arsenal’s primary striker target in the 2025 summer transfer window, with negotiations nearing completion for a move from Sporting CP.

They are close to finalizing a deal for Gyokeres, with a reported agreement for €63.5 million plus up to €10 million (£8.64 million) in performance-related add-ons.

The 27-year-old prioritized a move to Arsenal after scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese champions. His 68 league goals over two seasons are more than double any other player in Portugal during that period. Impressive.

The Swede combines physicality, explosive pace, and clinical finishing. His direct, high-intensity style could add a new dimension to Arsenal’s patient, pass-heavy build-up under Arteta.

Their lack of a recognized No. 9 last season saw them score 17 fewer goals than champions Liverpool. Gyokeres’ ruthless finishing and ability to convert half-chances could address this gap.

The Gunners are on the verge of signing Gyokeres for a potential €73.5 million with final details being ironed out. It's an exciting time for fans as the deal is expected to be finalized soon, potentially in time for Arsenal’s pre-season tour, marking a significant step toward closing the gap to the Premier League title.

Welcome to Arsenal Victor Gyokeres❤️ pic.twitter.com/dR8KZNisIF

— Ghana Gunner (@AFC_Fazeel) July 6, 2025

Our Opinion

As much as a top-quality striker will increase Arsenal's title credentials, we are still unconvinced that they have the squad to compete at the business end of the season with Liverpool & Manchester City.

Have they got the back-up if a key player such as William Saliba, Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka pick up an injury? We don't think so.

The signings of Martin Zubimendi (€70m) and Brentford's Christian Norgaard (12m) undoubtedly strengthen their squad, but is it enough to challenge when it matters most?