Arsenal's need for a goalscoring centre forward is almost as desperate as Julian Alvarez's desire not to face his home fans after his public 'come get me' plea to Barca was thwarted by Atleti. But can a deal work for The Arsenal? Do we just need to think about this in a different way....
Why are we here?
To say the noticeable weakness in the Arsenal XI is the centre forward does two disservices.
Firstly, to just how good the rest of the team is.
Raya must be in the conversation for most vital and best keeper in club football, even if his international manager doesn't agree. Our first-choice centre-back partnership is the envy of most clubs, and the fullbacks available to rotate ensure minimal drop in quality when tactics or injury require it.
Bruno G is going to answer all those questions about Rice's best position, with Zubimendi and Merino expected to offer some respite to the starting pivot. MLS may also get more game time if Calafiori and Hincapie aren't forced to cover inside.
Eze, Odegaard and Nwaneri are then the natural 10s, with Tzolis, Madueke & Saka delivering all the expected quality from out wide.
I'm no doubt leaving out other incredible players, including Dowman and Salmon, who are looking to prove they are the real deal. This Arsenal squad must be one of the most stacked in any era.
The second point is that 25/26 Arsenal was not set up to maximise the number 9 position. Would Haaland have scored more, or Kane? Probably; they have attributes that are worth extra goals. Would a season with Havertz available for more games, and a Gyokeres who knows the league, iron out some of those early-season slashes at the crucial time? I'd like to think so.
Other than the spectacular goals v Spurs and Inter, and the deceptive header in the Emirates Cup that got us all excited, I feel like Gyokeres scored the goals he should. The tap-in against Everton for 1-0. The scruffy goals off the knee that he looked sheepish to celebrate. Those are the positions where you can turn 1 point into 3, and historically they are not the goals Arsenal score.
In fact, they are such a lack of our DNA that we can't even play or set up enough chances like this for a poacher to capitalise on. I'm not blind, Viktor needs to improve this season, but nothing brings confidence like goals. During the second part of 25/26 that early ball into the channel was used more, but players need to reduce him to 3 touches before a shot or a simple pass.
Havertz won't ever pass 'The Eye Test' — at least, he won't get the benefit of the doubt. The Harry Potter joke of 'good in spells' is true: he looks clinical some matches but out of the game in others. He lacks an outright trait that forgives him of any sin. Erling scores goals, Sesko is young, and Kai just doesn't cut it.
Why is Julian 'The Man'?
Top centre forwards aren't a dime a dozen. Bad ones might be, but the elites of the world just don't move for a song.
Since leaving City, Alvarez has scored 49 goals in his two full seasons. 25 per year sounds good, but only half of these are in the league, with 8 in 29 appearances in 25/26 (22 starts). With the fees mentioned, almost twice the price of Gyokeres, 12 league goals doesn't feel like it will move the needle. 16 assists across those two seasons also doesn't feel like an upgrade.
There's more to football than stats, and I can't claim to watch any of his La Liga games — he was very bright in the group-stage game at the Emirates. He had a thunderous shot that struck the bar and was the bright spark for Atletico on a fairly underwhelming night.
But... didn't we already buy a City striker who plays well and doesn't have the goals to back it up?
So, what's your plan?
I can't claim to know the specifics or Plan B — assuming JA is even Plan A! But it's clear that Barcelona via Anyone FC is the likely route. So if Berta wants to structure an incredible deal, then what about this...
£80m Arsenal offer with not much time to go, 50% sell-on for any amount over that.
Arsenal effectively get the player on a cash-expensive loan/future sale and see what he can do. Atleti don't sell to Barca, but do benefit from the inevitable transfer in 12 or 24 months.
Let's get the deal signed by Barca now too! £100m in 27/28. This might be how everyone wins, with the lowest risk and each part making sense for everyone.
And you think that will happen?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! But let's not waste time flirting with this one. IN OR OUT, YES OR NO, and move on. That is 2026 Arsenal mentality, and I haven't even mentioned Mr Versatile himself, Mikel Merino, being the perfect emergency 9 when required.