Bernardo thinks Arsenal may be signing 'top player' as Gyokeres left in limbo

Arsenal are on a search for a new leader in their attacking line, with former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez in their shortlist of options - and the Argentine comes highly recommended

Arsenal are weighing up a potential deal for Julian Alvarez amid their striker search, with two Premier League legends backing the credibility of the Argentinian forward. The Gunners have had a consistent yet lacklustre season, missing out on silverware once again for the fifth consecutive year.

Since their FA Cup win in the 2019/20 season and subsequent Community Shield victory, Arsenal are yet to lift a trophy - with Chelsea, Manchester United and even fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur winning major honours in this time.

Head coach Mikel Arteta has been given time to rebuilt the club and has now guided Arsenal to three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League - only being bested by Pep Guardiola's indomitable Manchester City team and Arne Slot's impressive Liverpool.

Many have attributed Arsenal's lack of league title success to their attacking options, and Arteta has received plenty of criticism for not signing an out-and-out number nine to lead the line. It seems that the Spaniard is looking to change this narrative for the 2025/26 season, as he aims to bolster the north London team with striking options during the summer transfer window.

Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres has been linked over the last few months, with the formidable striker reportedly on the market for £60million. Reports in Portugal claimed the Gunners had entered talks with Gyokeres' agent this week, as representatives headed to Lisbon to discuss a potential deal.

However, the Swede could be snubbed in favour of a former Premier League star who has already proven his worth to Arteta's ex-mentor, Guardiola. Atletico Madrid's Alvarez is also said to be on Arsenal's shortlist of strikers, and he comes highly recommended by former City team-mate Bernardo Silva.

The attacking midfielder praised Alvarez in 2023 after a 3-2 win in the Champions League against RB Leipzig, where the Argentine scored the winner that secured top spot in the group for City. Discussing Alvarez's impact, Silva said: "If Erling Haaland is not present, we’re not going to say that it is not important and we’re not going to miss him because of course, we’re going to miss him.

"But we have Julian Alvarez to play striker and he’s a top, top striker. So, we’re not going to say that the team will look bad. Our job is to find solutions and do our best with the players we have in the moment but of course, we miss all of our injured players. In this case, you are talking about Erling and of course, we miss him."

After Alvarez departed City last summer in an £81m move to Madrid, Silva spoke out again on the void that the young striker left in the team. Speaking of the 2022 World Cup winner, he said: "I miss him a lot because he is an exceptional team-mate and I am very fond of him. I am very happy that he is doing well. He is a wonderful guy, and he deserves everything.

"Whenever I see Julián score a goal, I'm very happy for him; he's doing very well. Atlético de Madrid is having a very good season. I am very happy for him."

Since moving to Atletico, Alvarez has scored 29 goals and assisted seven times in 54 appearances. However, he has yet to secure any silverware in Spain, thanks to the giants of Real Madrid and Barcelona ruling the roost.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry expressed his feelings about the potential signing of Alvarez, telling the Stick to Football podcast that he'd been a saviour in previous Premier League seasons. He said: "If you look at all the teams recently that have been winning big things, more often than not, ok you can look at the front three and look at the team, but look at who is on the bench.

"How many times a guy coming from the bench saved the season. I think it was last season, when Haaland went eight games without scoring. Julian Alvarez, bang, bang, bang. Riyadh Mahrez before, bang, bang, bang. Scoring goals.

"After who scored the most, Haaland, when he wasn’t scoring or he wasn’t there or he was injured, Julian Alvarez, boom, goal. Riyadh Mahrez, boom, goal."

When asked about his favourite options for striker right now, Henry added: "One of my favourite nines out there at the moment is Julian Alvarez. We’ve been talking about it, putting pressure, playing it long, whatever you want to do.

"Did you see the free kick he scored the other day? He can hold the ball long. He played at the Olympic games. He played the Copa America. He doesn’t say he’s tired, hopefully nothing bad happens to him, he’s played everything. And the way he plays it, I just like him. Is it possible? I don’t know."

Whether Arteta chooses to bring Liga Portugal champion Gyokeres or Treble-winner Alvarez to north London, Arsenal fans will be ecstatic either way to add an attacker to the side that could bring them the long-awaited Premier League title.