Arsenal's Transfer Strategies: Alvarez Pursuit, Yildiz Challenges, and Havertz's Impact

Arsenal’s 3-0 dismantling of Coventry might have looked like a team already complete. Inside the club, nobody is pretending the squad is finished.

The Gunners are still hunting a forward. And almost every major decision this summer seems to bend around that search.

Alvarez dream, Barcelona problem

Julian Álvarez remains the fantasy and the obsession.

Arsenal have been in contact, Atlético Madrid have listened, but Barcelona still sit at the heart of the saga. The Argentine wants Camp Nou. Atlético would rather cash in abroad.

Diego Simeone, though, is not acting like a coach about to lose his striker. “Julián Álvarez will be in the squad tomorrow,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “For me, Julián is an extremely important player for us to achieve our objectives. As long as he’s with the team, I’m going to look after him.”

Atlético have spoken with Arsenal about conditions for a sale and are understood to prefer a Premier League move over strengthening a domestic rival. The problem is the player. Álvarez has yet to open the door to England again, his focus fixed on Barcelona.

Gary Neville, watching Arsenal brush aside Coventry, didn’t hide what Álvarez would mean for this team.

“If Arsenal get Alvarez it would light this place up,” he said on Sky Sports. “They would then have a world-class striker and they could not only win the Premier League again, but go that extra step and win the Champions League as well.”

For now, Arsenal wait. Barcelona must find the money. Atlético are simultaneously trying to land Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on loan, a move that could reshape the forward market. If Jackson arrives and Barça look elsewhere, the path to Álvarez might finally clear.

Yildiz: doors shut, then slightly ajar

On the other front, Juventus have slammed the brakes.

Arsenal have long admired Kenan Yildiz and sounded him out as a solution on the left. David Ornstein reported that Arsenal “like Kenan Yildiz, but the doors are closed from Juventus.” The Turin club do not want to sell.

Yet the name refuses to go away. According to The Independent, Yildiz has climbed back to the top of Arsenal’s attacking shortlist after Vinícius Júnior signed a new deal at Real Madrid. Juventus are said to value the 21-year-old at around €70m after an 11-goal season across all competitions, with the Turk showing he can operate across the front line.

One potential route being discussed, reported by The Guardian, is a swap deal. Gabriel Martinelli to Turin, Yildiz to London. Two problems solved in one hit. On paper, at least.

Martinelli on the outside looking in

Right now, Martinelli is on the wrong side of the door at Arsenal.

He turned down Galatasaray earlier in the summer, but interest has not faded. Inter Milan, Roma, Atlético Madrid and Juventus are all monitoring the 24-year-old, with Arsenal believed to want around €60m to sell.

The Brazilian did not even make the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over Coventry. For a player who once symbolised Arsenal’s energy and edge, the drop-off has been stark.

Ian Wright did not hide his frustration.

“In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” he told Sky Sports. “Not being involved in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on. I know this, I know this.”

Later, on the same broadcast, he added: “What’s happened with him makes me feel uncomfortable… I feel a bit sad for him. He’s done a lot in this squad to be treated more. I hope it all works out right for Martinelli.”

Christos Tzolis’ arrival has only sharpened the edges. Jamie Carragher described the Greek winger as “an upgrade on (Leandro) Trossard and (Gabriel) Martinelli.” Neville replied, “I actually really like Martinelli,” but the direction of travel is clear.

If Arsenal do push ahead with Yildiz, Martinelli’s exit may be more than a rumour. It may be the key.

Havertz changes the conversation up front

While Arsenal chase Álvarez, Kai Havertz is quietly asking a simple question: do they really need another No 9?

The German has been in sharp form since returning from injury. He scored in the Champions League final against PSG in May, then again in the Community Shield against Manchester City, and added another in the win over Coventry.

His knack for big moments is no longer a Chelsea memory. It’s an Arsenal reality.

Having shared striking duties with Viktor Gyökeres last season, Havertz now looks ready to lead the line again. His recent run is beginning to justify the £70m fee and has reopened the debate over whether the Gunners should blow their budget on a striker at all.

Neville, though, still sees a gap.

“If Arsenal had an Ian Wright up front, Odegaard would be even better,” he said. “Havertz and Gyokeres want to come to the play rather than run in behind. If Arsenal were to get an Alvarez, I think he (Odegaard) would go up a level.”

For now, Havertz keeps scoring. Arsenal keep calling Álvarez. One of them will decide how this season looks.

Tzolis hits the ground sprinting

On the left, Arsenal may already have landed one of the bargains of the window.

Christos Tzolis joined from Club Brugge for £34m and has wasted no time. Two assists in the Community Shield win over Manchester City, another strong showing against Coventry. Direct, sharp, relentless.

Sky’s co-commentator admitted the Player of the Match call was a “toss up” between Martin Ødegaard and Tzolis, before eventually choosing the captain.

Tzolis arrives as Leandro Trossard departs to Besiktas. Trossard scored crucial goals, including the winner at West Ham that pushed Arsenal to the brink of the title last season. But swapping a 31-year-old for a 24-year-old who already looks like a dangerous outlet on the left is starting to look like clever business.

Backline rebuilt: Konsa in, White watched

At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal have moved decisively.

Ezri Konsa has joined from Aston Villa in a deal worth around £51m, with a further £4m in add-ons. With William Saliba injured and the defence stretched last season, Mikel Arteta wanted proven Premier League steel.

Sporting director Andrea Betra did not hold back in his praise.

“We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa,” he said. “Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.

“Being comfortable in both central defence and at right-back, Ezri will bring valuable versatility to our squad while maintaining the high defensive standards which are fundamental to our challenge of winning major trophies.”

He highlighted Konsa’s leadership, experience and character, insisting he will “adapt seamlessly” and make an “immediate impact”.

Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, explained the thinking behind signing Konsa and Bruno Guimarães, both 28.

“Because we look at the squad as a whole, we have a young defensive line. In midfield, we already have the next generation with Ethan and Max,” he said. “At 28 they are in their prime and I think they are going to give amazing things to our squad.”

Konsa’s arrival has consequences. With Jurrien Timber established at full-back and centre-back, Everton are circling Ben White. The 28-year-old registered an assist against Coventry, but minutes could tighten. A sale would free funds for that elusive forward.

Arteta did not hide the financial reality: “We are trying to improve the team, but it depends on some players leaving and the amount of money available to us after that. So far, I am very happy.”

Zubimendi, Bruno and a crowded midfield

Midfield, on paper, looks stacked. On the ground, it is political.

Martin Zubimendi enjoyed a promising first season in England, but the arrival of Bruno Guimarães, the re-emergence of Ethan Nwaneri and the return of Declan Rice have squeezed his minutes.

Chelsea and Real Madrid have both been linked, especially after Arsenal splashed out on Bruno. Arteta, though, shut that talk down.

Asked if Zubimendi could leave, he replied: “No, he’s a really important player. Without a doubt, he was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him, we would never have got into the position that we got into in the last few weeks.”

Chelsea are said to be monitoring the situation, particularly if Enzo Fernández forces a move. For now, Arsenal insist Zubimendi stays.

Youth and future business

The recruitment drive has not ignored the future.

Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon, 18, is finally on the brink of joining after several windows of interest. The Athletic report that Arsenal have an agreement and the teenager has completed his medical.

Blackburn will receive £1.2m up front, £2m in add-ons and retain a 20% sell-on clause. Tyjon has featured for Blackburn’s Under-21s, England Under-17s and made his senior debut in the EFL Cup last season.

Ethan Nwaneri, who spent last season on loan at Marseille, could seek more minutes elsewhere again, potentially on another loan. The club are conscious of managing his pathway carefully, especially with Bruno, Rice and Zubimendi crowding central areas.

A CBS Sports report from May suggested as many as eight players could leave this summer, including Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard and Cristhian Mosquera. That list already looks outdated.

Trossard has gone. Havertz and Ødegaard both scored against Coventry, with Ødegaard matching last season’s entire league goal tally on opening night. Mosquera impressed alongside Gabriel in Saliba’s absence. Jesus and Martinelli still attract Serie A interest. The rest is fluid.

Partey’s next chapter

Away from north London, a former cornerstone has moved on again.

Thomas Partey, who left Arsenal for Villarreal last summer after his contract expired, has joined Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia. The Ghana international made 167 appearances for Arsenal after arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2020 and became a central figure under Arteta.

Al Shabab now inherit a midfielder with deep Premier League, European and international experience.

The equation in front of Arteta

Arsenal’s window is not chaotic, but it is loaded.

They have added Bruno Guimarães, Konsa and Tzolis. They are closing in on Tyjon. They are still pushing for Álvarez, still weighing Yildiz, still deciding how to handle Martinelli, White and Jesus.

Arteta summed it up simply: to buy, they must sell. The squad is strong. The margins are thin. The next move could be the difference between another near-miss and something far more significant.

If Arsenal find the striker they crave, does it turn a very good side into an unstoppable one? Or will Havertz, Tzolis and a retooled defence prove that the final piece was already in the building?