We have entered July, and Arsenal still haven’t signed a new striker.
Pre-season training begins in the week commencing on July 7, and the Gunners are scheduled to travel to Asia on the 19th of this month.
As things stand, a deal to bring in a new striker by then seems unlikely — Arsenal’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres is nowhere near being completed.
There is a third striker Arsenal have considered, but the Gunners could miss out on him if they continue to wait for their two top targets.
Arsenal risk missing out on Ollie Watkins as they wait for Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres
One of Sesko or Gyokeres would be perfect for Arsenal, but the Gunners need to wrap up a deal for either one of them as soon as possible.
Andrea Berta is willing to wait for a new striker beyond the start of pre-season, but that is a risky game to play ahead of what is Mikel Arteta’s most important campaign.
Arsenal will find themselves in a terrible position if deals for both Sesko and Gyokeres collapse in a few weeks’ time — especially if Ollie Watkins, who is Arteta’s third-choice target, ends up joining another club.
The Mirror have revealed that Manchester United are ready to step up their pursuit of Watkins now as they look to solve their own striker issues.
The report claims that the Aston Villa striker is open to a new adventure, and United have already held tentative talks with the Midlands club over a deal.
Villa are still seeking £60 million for Watkins, but United are unwilling to pay such a big sum — they will try to get that fee down.
This complicates things for Arsenal as they may not have Watkins to fall back on as a target if they can’t agree deals for Sesko and Gyokeres.
Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Ollie Watkins
Arteta has been pretty vocal about his admiration for Ollie Watkins.
The Gunners boss doesn’t often speak about opposition players, but he made an exception and heaped praise on the Aston Villa star.
He said in December 2023, as quoted by TBR Football: “He’s been tremendously consistent over the last few years and he’s a real threat.”
Arteta was then asked how teams can stop Watkins. He replied: “Just like with other strikers, don’t give him the ball in the box!
“That’s his main quality.”
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