With Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge slowly drawing to a close and Liverpool on the verge of being crowned champions, Mikel Arteta and his squad are already looking ahead to their Champions League campaign and the summer transfer window. Last week, news broke that Arsenal have finally appointed Andrea Berta as their new Sporting Director, replacing Edu Gaspar. Berta will now be tasked with taking Arsenal one step closer to their long-coveted Premier League title.
Former Arsenal striker Jérémie Aliadière has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s summer transfer needs and where the club must improve to challenge at the top next season.
Is Isak the Missing Ingredient for Arsenal?
Should Arsenal be willing to pay whatever it takes to bring in Alexander Isak? That is the question on the minds of Arsenal fans, Newcastle supporters, and football pundits alike. With 19 goals in 24 Premier League appearances this season, Isak has emerged as one of the league’s most prolific strikers, and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the Swedish forward closely.
Aliadière is a huge admirer of Isak and believes the Gunners should make the move if they can afford Newcastle’s asking price.
“If finances aren’t a concern and we’re talking purely about on-pitch impact, I would go for Isak all day long. He’s played in the Premier League and understands its demands. Some of the other names linked to Arsenal have never played in this league, and they might need time to adapt.
“Isak is ready-made. Financially, he would cost more than others, but if Arsenal can afford him, he’s a guaranteed return on investment. His style of play suits Arsenal, and it’s something they’ve lacked—even with Kai Havertz performing well.”
Watkins: The Isak Backup Option
During the January transfer window, Arsenal reportedly made a move for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, but Villa rejected the approach. Aliadière believes that if Isak remains at Newcastle, Watkins could be a strong alternative, despite turning 30 this year.
*”Kai Havertz isn’t the type of player who runs in behind and stretches defences. That’s not his style. When under pressure, Isak can hurt teams with a single long ball. Arsenal lack that, and right now, they’re very predictable. There’s no plan B.
“Ollie Watkins is another player I really admire. He works tirelessly and stretches defences, something Arsenal need. Right now, they take too long to attack, allowing teams to reset their shape. My first choice is Isak, but I like Watkins as well.”
Aliadière Questions the Merits of an Arsenal Move for Kudus
Arsenal continue their search for a backup to Bukayo Saka and have been linked with several attacking options, including West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus. However, Kudus has struggled to replicate the form that saw him shine last season, and Aliadière believes Arsenal already have a promising in-house option in Ethan Nwaneri.
“The more top players Arsenal have, the better their chances of competing. But right now, Arsenal are in desperate need of depth. On Saka’s side, I think Ethan Nwaneri is ready to step up.
“We saw against West Ham how good Kudus was. He controlled the game and was impressive. But can he be consistent, week in and week out, at a top club? That’s the big question. He will also need regular game time.
“We brought in Sterling but didn’t give him the minutes to get match fit. When Arsenal needed him, he wasn’t ready. When you don’t rotate your squad enough, it’s difficult for bench players to step in and turn games around.”
Should Ødegaard Shoulder Some Responsibility for Arsenal’s Struggles?
With Bukayo Saka sidelined by injuries, club captain Martin Ødegaard has shouldered more creative and attacking responsibility this season. However, his performances have been inconsistent, leading some to question whether he is partly to blame for Arsenal’s inability to keep pace with Liverpool.
Aliadière argues that injuries have disrupted Ødegaard’s rhythm, making it difficult for the Norwegian to return to his best.
“Ødegaard was injured and missed a few months. It’s hard to come back and immediately reach top form. He’s a big name and the captain, so he has to play. Yes, he can do better, but the circumstances this season haven’t helped him.”
Raheem Sterling’s Difficult Year at Arsenal
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling’s loan move from Chelsea has not gone as planned. Arsenal had hoped Sterling would rejuvenate his career in North London after falling out of favour at Chelsea, but he has struggled for form and playing time.
Aliadière believes Sterling’s lack of game time has contributed to his underwhelming performances.
“I expected Sterling to do better and thought he’d be an exciting addition. But football is a confidence game, and he’s been on the bench too often. It’s tough to be ready and match fit when you’re not playing regularly.
“He didn’t have a great pre-season at Chelsea either, but I still expected more from him and thought he would get more minutes.”
As Arsenal prepare for the summer transfer window, the decisions they make in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether they can finally reclaim the Premier League title. With Andrea Berta now in charge of recruitment, the club will be looking to make the right additions, with a striker like Isak or Watkins potentially being the missing piece of the puzzle. However, questions remain over their midfield and attacking depth, as well as how they manage their existing squad.
Will Arsenal go all out for Isak? Can Ødegaard and Sterling bounce back? And will the club finally have the squad depth to compete on all fronts next season? The answers will become clearer as the summer unfolds.
