The Gunners have been linked with a new forward for some time, with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Alexander Isak and Nico Williams among those linked.
Arsenal are also understood to have made headway on a move for Martin Zubimendi in the summer, with the Real Sociedad midfielder having previously turned down a move to Liverpool in favour of staying at the La Liga club. Wolves midfielder Matheus Cunha has been linked as well, with the Brazilian admitting that he has "made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential."
Elsewhere there have been links to Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia, with current Arsenal keeper Neto only on loan from Bournemouth for this year, and a more long-term option sought to challenge David Raya for his place as No.1.
In the age of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, there is a heightened focus on clubs' outlay in the transfer market, but after a relatively frugal year of activity from the Gunners they look set to be able to spend more in the coming windows. With that being said, there will naturally be priorities for the Gunners to get deals done - but what should be the main target in the summer? football.london writers make their case below...
Joe Doyle
For me, the priority has to be a true No.9. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have played there to decent effect over the last few years, but neither are the type to grab 25 goals or more in the league consistently.
And of all the options, Alexander Isak is the best. Newcastle may not want to sell, but Arsenal have to at least make an effort to see if a deal is possible. Interest in Gyokeres is sensible; he's a decent age, has shown he can score a lot of goals, but there's just the question if he can scale that up to the Premier League.
That's where the distinction lies for me. Arsenal are at the stage of a team build where they need proven quality to try and finally get their hands on silverware - they can't really afford to spend big on a player for it to pay off in three or four years; the time is now.
Arsenal have shown with Declan Rice that they're willing to pay big for the right player. Isak is that player.
Sam Truelove
For all the striker talk at Arsenal, I actually think the priority should be signing a defensive midfielder this summer. Thomas Partey and Jorginho look set to leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts. Both are experienced pros and will be hard to replace.
Partey, in particular, has been a regular starter for Arsenal this season. In fact, he has made 42 appearances in all competitions which is the joint second most of any other player (David Raya also has 42, while Leandro Trossard has 43).
Martin Zubimendi looks the ideal replacement. football.london understands Arsenal have made progress with a deal to sign the Real Sociedad man in the summer, although reports have emerged in recent weeks suggesting Real Madrid are interested in the Spain international. We know Mikel Arteta is very keen on Zubimendi, though, and with a £52.5million release clause Zubimendi should be the priority transfer in the months ahead, with attention turning towards a striker afterwards.
Tom Coley
The names already listed are good ones, and rightly so. Arsenal have a strong, strong shortlist of players and pretty much any set of them will do.
As long as striker, winger, and midfielder are all ticked off, Arsenal will be in a very strong position. The winger looks only to be Nico Williams at this stage. He is excellent, dynamic, and versatile. It feels like a battle to stop him going to Barcelona, so maybe it is best to look elsewhere as a priority rather than wasting time.
Zubimendi is the midfielder. Get that done early because Real Madrid and Liverpool will come snapping. Jorginho and Thomas Partey will also be out on July 1, which leaves the centre of the park extremely bare heading into pre-season.
We can't ignore the centre forward, though. Gyokeres remains a big name but Isak is the one. If there is anyway to get him in then Arsenal have to explore it. He shifts the balance of the league. Liverpool will be going through change over the summer and Manchester City have work to do.
Matheus Cunha is a weird one because he's a terrifically talented player but doesn't feel very Arsenal. Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri are the advanced midfielders and Cunha has had discipline issues. That should be out of the equation as a priority.
Kieran King
For me, Arsenal have to make a new No.9 their summer transfer priority. Yes, there is an argument to be made for a defensive midfielder or a left winger to be their top target, but I do think this current Gunners team are a 20-goal a season striker off winning the Premier League title.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have chipped in with the odd goal here and there over the last couple of years, but neither have scored enough on a consistent basis. It would make signing a striker critical, but Arsenal must ensure it's the right one, as they cannot afford too many errors.
Out of all the options, Alexander Isak is the best. The Sweden international has notched 23 goals in 33 appearances for Newcastle this season and he is the most in-demand forward in world football right now. However, Newcastle's reported £150million valuation could prove to be too much.
If he is off the table, then the next best would be, for me, Ollie Watkins. At 29, he doesn't have the age on his side compared to others, such as Benjamin Sesko, but Arsenal need to pounce while they are hot and getting Watkins at his best for two to three years may just be the difference to get them over the line.
Jack Flintham
If Arsenal, as is looking likely, fall short in the Premier League title race it will not be because they did not have Martin Zubimendi in their squad. It will be because the Gunners did not have a centre-forward they could regularly count on for goals.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were giving it a good go before their injuries but they did not have an Erling Haaland from the last couple of seasons or a Mohamed Salah from this season who could score when all seemed lost. When things are going well for Arsenal, everything looks rosy, but I am not convinced that any team can win the Premier League without a 20-plus goal forward.
Therefore, a striker must be at the top of the wishlist before they look at any other positions. For me, Victor Osimhen would be the striker I'd be looking at.
The Napoli man has done it at this level previously and while Viktor Gyokeres has an incredible return, I feel Osimhen would be the safer solution to go for this summer.
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