Mikel Arteta could make one last expensive roll of the dice to finally pip Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to the Premier League title.
Arsenal's last two seasons have ended in bitter disappointment. Arteta's former employer, City, relentlessly chased down the north London club's points advantage on both occasions, notching four sky-blue title triumphs on the bounce.
The question Arsenal are being asked, then, is what can they do to swing the tide in their favour? Arteta already has two recruits this summer, as David Raya joined the club permanently and Italian centre-back Riccardo Calafiori arrived from Bologna. Mikel Merino also looks likely to sign - adding another experienced midfield option.
However, simply improving squad depth may not be enough. It may be the dream that Arsenal take a big-money gamble on one or even two new forwards, after gathering finances, and finally composing a squad capable of lifting the title.
Isak arrives
Swedish ace Alexander Isak is only 24 years old but is one of the league's top marksmen. He netted 21 goals last campaign - five more than the Gunners' top scorer, Bukayo Saka.
For some seasons now, it has seemed evident that an out-and-out striker is the missing puzzle piece in Arsenal's title charge, and as far as the Premier League goes, few are better than Newcastle's number 14.
However, Isak is an irreplaceable asset for Eddie Howe's side. It is reported that it would take £100million to pry him away from St. James's Park this summer, and the Swede's deal only expires in 2028, so the Magpies won't be held to ransom.
The first murmurings of Arsenal's interest began amidst Newcastle's profit and sustainability rules battle, in which they had to sell some players to avoid a points deduction like that suffered by Everton and Nottingham Forest.
This not only saw star winger Anthony Gordon linked with a move to Liverpool but also saw Isak attract interest from Arsenal and their London rivals, Chelsea.
Yet, other necessary sales were made before the deadline, which meant Newcastle red-taped their key assets. With the Magpies left with no reason to sell, a deal this summer for Isak would be incredibly difficult.
If Arsenal can secure sufficient funding and the Swede forces the move through to play in the Champions League, however, there is a slim chance that the striker could arrive to tip the title scales in Arsenal's favour.
Meeting the Gyokeres clause
Isak may not be the sole Swede making a move to the Emirates this summer, either. Another of the Gunners' forward targets this window is Sporting CP's Victor Gyokeres.
The former Brighton and Coventry City man netted 41 goals in all competitions last season in Portugal and was a key factor in Ruben Amorim's side lifting the league title.
The Sky Blues parted ways with Gyokeres for a near-£20m fee in 2023, after he led them to the Championship play-off final, and have recently been paid off a chunk of the striker's sell-on clause - indicating that the Portuguese outfit fear a deal is imminent.
They would also have little control over such a deal, as the Swede reportedly has an £86m release clause in his current deal that the Gunners could match.
While the astronomical combined fee means it remains a minute possibility that both Swedes are united as a formidable duo, should the right players be sold, then funding could be secured and Arsenal's ambition tested.
Emile leads exodus
Emile Smith Rowe is poised to join west London club Fulham from his boyhood Gunners. He is one of a few players deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates this window after failing to stamp his mark on Arteta's first team.
After being tipped for a bright future in 2020, the Englishman suffered setback after setback, as injuries and poor form saw him lose his position to Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard.
The creative midfielder is set to garner a respectable £27m plus £7m add-ons, which will provide much-needed funding concerning the prospective transfers of Isak and Gyokeres.
The Gunners have already spent a lot on Calafiori, who cost them £42m, but they have other names on the chopping block who could raise further funding.
Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, where clubs are reportedly willing to pay £60m for his services. This would be a substantial fee that Arsenal may be forced to accept, as it's £15m more than they paid for the 28-year-old in 2022.
Eddie Nketiah has been the subject of interest from French giants Marseille, who are reportedly aiming to buy the striker for around £20m - with an initial lower proposal rejected.
Polish defender Jakub Kiwior could also depart following Calfiori's arrival. According to Transfermarkt, he is valued at around £25m but could go for less.
There is also the possibility that Aaron Ramsdale and Oleksandr Zinchenko will leave the Emirates this summer, with their first-team positions all but dissipated. The two are reportedly valued at a combined £55m, though it would be a tall order to receive such fees.
If such a farfetched selling spree were to occur, the Gunners could rack up incomings of nearly £200m - likely enough to finance both the Gyokeres and Isak moves.
It is improbable that Arsenal will offload deadwood and sign the star duo, but such a dreamy scenario would surely see them strike in their bid for Premier League glory.