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a striker mikel arteta Long had a desire for a summer move and scored in stylish style in north London on Saturday. Not for Arsenal, admittedly, and not on a day when Arsenal needed to regret the man who walked away because his price had become too great: Alexander Isak was injured a fraction of a second after unleashing a shot that curled into the Tottenham net. The £125million man has just two league goals and faces another spell on the sidelines.
About 90 minutes later, Arteta’s striking summer signing arrived. Victor GyokresAt £54 million, it came in at less than half Isak’s fee and still looks overpriced. He has six Premier League goals, three times as many as Isak, but two were from spot kicks and each could prove useful against bottom-half finishers. Against Everton, he conceded a penalty but otherwise labored and was sloppy; There was no lack of effort but there was a clear lack of class. The transfer-window online obsession with the Swede feels even more misplaced.
But Arsenal can win titles: not despite him, nor because of him, but sometimes with him. And for Arteta, after paying attention to the demands of the fanbase to sign a striker, the task is to select the right striker. In 2026, they have a choice of four: the strikers they signed in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. However, admittedly at least one and arguably two did not arrive as centre-forwards. And there are times when they may seem the most compelling option.
The fourth man is, at times, the forgotten man, and, potentially, but for a cruciate ligament problem, the sold-out man. gabriel jesusAn Arsenal career hampered by injury and goal drought will bring his 100th game on Tuesday,
The Brazilian has returned three times. Perhaps it was symbolic that although he contributed to the win against Wolves, it was not his goal. Jesus has only seven in his last 42 appearances for Arsenal. Yet his half-hour against Everton highlighted his qualities, particularly, perhaps, in comparison to Gyöckeres. Jesus was more focused on the same wavelength as his teammates, more able to contribute moves.
“That’s probably Gabi’s greatest quality, bringing people together, connecting with people and creating a lot of uncertainty in the opponent,” Arteta said. “when you see him [at Everton]The number of places he was involved in is his greatest quality. So we need to take advantage of it.
It’s reminiscent of the Jesus that Arsenal signed in 2022, a player who immediately looked like a catalyst. He brought upliftment; But his best goal return in a campaign for the Gunners is 11 and Giocêres’ return of 97 in two years at Sporting CP promises more of a touch of brilliance, even if it now feels responsible for the Portuguese league’s shortcomings.
“It has been a really intense journey,” Arteta said. “I think when he joined us, I think he lifted the confidence, spirit and energy of the club and the team. I think he gave us something very different to what we already had and that was really impressive.”
Now Jesus is ready to start, his manager thinks. The Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace could be an opportune occasion: five of his last six goals have come against Oliver Glasner’s side, including a League Cup hat-trick.
A successful comeback could leave Arteta in a dilemma. So others can do it too. Kai Havertz has only played half an hour this season.
It may be impossible to prove but the theory persists, but due to injury, he would have faced several tough tests ahead of the season: away to Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle. Gyokres had little impact on such stages.
In Havertz’s extended absence, mikel merino Reminded of his credentials as a stand-in striker. In particular, as an excellent goalscorer, his aerial ability, finishing skills and ability to sniff out openings make him more than a makeshift option. Some may consider him better than Giokeres but it is imperative for Arsenal to try and make the Swede successful.
Yet there are bigger objectives, the title, at stake. Arteta’s model has been to assemble the most complete team; To cover all events. This means that there are automatic options on some positions, but not all. He was never able to choose among his four notable options. That will happen soon.
If others thought Jesus was in fourth place, he has been the number 9 for both Brazil and Manchester City. Merino may be the best finisher of the four, Havertz is the most complete player. Then there’s Gyöckeres, whose summer arrival suggests he’ll be a regular, but can be found some way down the line. The possibility is that Arteta may prefer Havertz for the biggest matches. However, the challenge for them will be to choose the right one for each occasion.