Arsenal Insider writers have now had their say on whether Mikel Arteta should pursue a deal for Ollie Watkins or Viktor Gyokeres this summer.
Arsenal need to sign a new striker in this summer transfer window.
With Eddie Nketiah set to join Marseille, that need is about to become even more pressing.
Whilst Mikel Arteta clearly has faith in Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus has convinced Arsenal to keep him around, the Gunners are in need of more firepower.
Arsenal tried to sign Benjamin Sesko earlier this summer, but the Slovenian forward ultimately opted to pen a new deal with RB Leipzig. Now, the North London club need to pivot to alternative targets in this part of the pitch.
Arteta is known to admire Viktor Gyokeres. Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins has been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium. It could come down to the Spanish coach having to make a choice between the two goalscorers this summer.
Should Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres or Ollie Watkins?
If Arsenal are to pick a striker between Watkins and Gyokeres, I would choose the latter. Gyokeres is coming off the back of a sensational season at Sporting Club De Portugal, and is arguably the deadliest striker in Europe right now.
Watkins has also been outstanding, but the profile of Gyokeres makes him a more appealing option. He is two years younger than the Englishman, and could potentially cost less. He also brings more physicality to the role, and is perhaps more suited to Mikel Arteta’s system, as someone who can contribute in build-up play as well as through running in behind defences.
Watkins showed at the Euros how clutch he can be off the bench, but Gyokeres seems more well-rounded and therefore a better fit for what Arsenal require from a centre-forward. – Rahul Lakhani
I don’t quite think Watkins or Gyokeres are the perfect additions for Arsenal right now, but if I had to choose it would be the Villa man – sorry Unai.
With Gyokeres, he’s obviously scoring a lot of goals in Portugal, which has to be commended. But in terms of him thriving at the Emirates, I don’t think he quite provides the right skill set to dovetail with Kai Havertz.
Most of Gyokeres’ impressive work is done outside of the box, spaces that don’t exist at Arsenal when they’re regularly playing against a low block. Arsenal either need an excellent runner who can help them in transitions or they need a centre-forward who can dominate in the box – and that’s not Gyokeres.
In terms of Watkins, I believe he can do well in both of those regards, even if he’s not among the elite in either category. But in Watkins, Arsenal would be getting someone who can clearly score in the Premier League, a different player to Havertz.
If he gets the right amount of minutes it’s very hard to not envision the England striker scoring 15 or 20 goals in this Arsenal team, which would make a huge difference. But if it’s up to me I’m still taking Victor Osimhen, even if he would break the bank. – Lucas Arnold
As impressive as Watkins was for Aston Villa last season, and indeed England at Euro 2024, the 28-year-old does not offer enough variety for this Arsenal side. He can run in behind, stretch defences, and is a clinical finisher. However, Gyokeres’ provides these qualities, and is also a more robust physical presence.
At 26-years-old, the Sweden international is coming into his peak years, with the scope to still improve. Certainly, if he can build upon the 43 goals and 15 assists that he provided for Sporting in 50 appearances across all competitions last season, then the Gunners will have some player on their hands.
Of course, there have to be questions as to whether Gyokeres can translate his scintillating form from the top flight in Portugal to the Premier League, where the standard is higher. However, he has surely done all he can to prove that he deserves the chance to try. – Will Jones
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