Unless they can beat Real Madrid over two legs in the Champions League next month, Mikel Arteta's side look likely to end the season empty-handed yet again, and a big reason for that is a lack of firepower up top.
Now, injuries have played their part as well, but when the club's most productive player - Bukayo Saka - is someone who hasn't kicked a ball since December, you know there is a problem.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta -3
So, it's unsurprising to see the team being linked with a whole host of extraordinary strikers at the moment, like Victor Gyokeres, but centre-forwards are not the only players being touted for moves this summer.
Arsenal's search for new attackers
So, while Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, and Alexander Isak all continue to be linked with Arsenal due to their acute need for a prolific number nine, a whole host of wingers have also had their names connected with the club.
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For example, Bayern Munich's Leroy Sané, who will be a free agent in the summer, keeps popping up in connection with the Gunners, as is Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, who is already Premier League-proven.
However, when there is one winger who the North Londoners seem to be prioritising above all others and he might just be the most exciting of the lot.
Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams celebrates scoring their third goal
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are determined to add another wide player to their ranks in the summer, and both Arteta and new Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, have a top target: Nico Williams.
The Spanish international has a €58m release clause in his current contract, which is about £48m, and while that isn't an egregious sum of money, it would need to be paid upfront, which could complicate matters.
Interestingly, though, the report has revealed that the Gunners could offer Bilbao a higher fee to structure payments more favourably.
It looks like it will be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line this year, but given his immense ability and potential, one well worth fighting for, especially as he could sensational alongside Gyokeres, should Arsenal be able to secure his services as well.
Why Williams would be incredible for Arsenal and Gyokeres
So, let's say Arsenal are successful in their pursuit of Gyokeres this summer. Why would Williams be an incredible addition to the team, particularly for him?
FC Barcelona's Marc Casado in action with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams
Well, it comes down to two things, the first of which is his output. For example, in 37 appearances last season, totalling 2729 minutes, the young Spaniard racked up a sensational tally of eight goals and 16 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.54 games or every 113.70 minutes.
This season, he's not been quite as devastating but has nonetheless maintained an impressive level of output, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 38 appearances, totalling 2689 minutes.
Williams recent form
Season
23/24
24/25
Appearances
37
38
Minutes
2729'
2689'
Goals
8
9
Assists
19
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.72
0.36
Minutes per Goal Involvements
113.70'
168.06'
All Stats via Transfermarkt
This comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.37 games, or 168.06 minutes.
Now, just imagine what the Bilbao ace's output would look like playing alongside the Swede, who has racked up a tally of 111 goal involvements in 92 games for Sporting CP.
Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres
His already impressive assist record would explode next to a striker that prolific, and in return, the former Coventry City star would almost certainly see his own goal tally continue to impress with such a reliable provider to his left.
The second reason the "world-class" winger, as journalist Zach Lowy has dubbed him, would be such a dream teammate for the 26-year-old is that he occupies defenders so effectively.
Due to being a reliable source of goals and assists, the Pamplona-born star forces opposition defenders to expend time and energy keeping him under wraps, which in turn should free up space for his teammates.
Moreover, with FBref placing him in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, he's capable of making things happen regardless of how much an opposition player tries to stop him.
nico-williams
Ultimately, Arsenal need some attacking reinforcements this summer, and while it might be a complicated transfer to get over the line, they should be going all out for Williams, especially if they also sign Gyokeres.
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