Arsenal's Transfer Strategy: Alvarez Pursuit and Havertz's Impact

Arsenal’s 3-0 opening-night dismantling of Coventry might have looked like a statement that the squad is ready. Behind the scenes, it’s anything but settled.

The Gunners are pushing, probing and, in some cases, hitting brick walls in a transfer window that now feels as much about exits as it is about the next big name through the door.

Frontline rebuild: Alvarez dream, Havertz reality

David Ornstein has made it clear: Arsenal still want more firepower.

“Arsenal would like to improve their frontline further,” he said on TNT Sports, underlining the club’s determination to upgrade in attack despite Kai Havertz’s resurgence.

The prime target remains Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez, but the road is anything but smooth.

Álvarez wants Barcelona. Atlético would rather sell to the Premier League.

Ornstein believes that “if push came to shove, Atletico Madrid would do a deal with Arsenal – as opposed to Barcelona, the doors are closed there.” The Spanish club are open to talking, but only on their terms and at a price Arsenal currently view as too high.

Diego Simeone, for now, is keeping his focus on the pitch. “Julián Alvarez 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.”

Arsenal are still applying pressure, still desperate to secure his signature, but they are fighting the player’s own preference for Barcelona and a board that knows it holds a premium asset.

In the meantime, Havertz is making his own argument. The German, who spent much of last season injured, has returned looking like the player Arsenal thought they were getting for £70m. He scored in the Champions League final against PSG, then again in the Community Shield against Manchester City, and added another in the 3-0 win over Coventry.

Having shared duties with Viktor Gyokeres last season, Havertz suddenly looks ready to lead the line on his own and “solve” the striker problem from inside the building. Arsenal still want Álvarez. Havertz is doing everything he can to make that chase feel like a luxury rather than a necessity.

Yildiz pursuit blocked – for now

The hunt for another attacker has taken Arsenal repeatedly to Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz.

Ornstein confirmed the interest, but also the current dead end. “They [Arsenal] like Kenyan Yildiz, but the doors are closed from Juventus,” he said. For now, the Italian club are refusing to engage.

That has not stopped the speculation. Reports in Italy and England have linked Arsenal with the 21-year-old, who scored 11 goals across all competitions last season and can operate across the front line. The Independent claim he sits at the top of Arsenal’s list again after Vinicius Jr extended his deal at Real Madrid.

Juventus are thought to want around €70m. Arsenal are weighing whether he is worth that outlay, particularly as they juggle outgoings and squad balance.

One scenario floated in the British press would be a swap-style move: Gabriel Martinelli heading to Turin as part of a deal for Yildiz. The Guardian reported that Yildiz is a serious option for Arteta on the left, with Martinelli’s future increasingly uncertain. It would be a ruthless solution that addresses two problems in one stroke.

Ruthless is exactly how some already view Arsenal’s handling of Martinelli.

Martinelli on the margins – and legends uneasy

Martinelli has already turned down Galatasaray this summer. It has not eased the pressure on his future.

Inter Milan, Roma, Atlético Madrid and Juventus are all monitoring the 24-year-old, with Arsenal holding out for around €60m. His omission from the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over Coventry only fuelled the noise.

Ian Wright, speaking on Sky Sports, did not hide his discomfort.

“In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” he said. “The way he’s been treated at the end here. I know they might want him out and people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time to move him on’.

“There’s ways to do that. It should suit him as well, how he wants to leave. Not being involved in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on. I know this, I know this.”

On punditry duty after the Coventry win, Wright again voiced his unease as the panel discussed new signing Christos Tzolis.

“Tzolis had a very good debut and respect to Martinelli, what’s happened with him makes me feel uncomfortable and the way he’s been treated at the end of it… not being spoken to, not knowing what’s going on, not being involved tonight and he’s got a year left (on his contract),” Wright said.

“If you bring Tzolis in and he’s looking at Tzolis, you’re thinking to yourself ‘I still have something to offer.’ 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.”

The message is clear: Arsenal’s drive to refresh the left side of their attack could come at the cost of a player many fans still see as a symbol of the project.

Tzolis and Tyjon: the new blood

If Martinelli is being eased out, Tzolis is wasting no time stepping in.

The 24-year-old arrived from Club Brugge for £34m and has already made a sharp impression. He produced two assists in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and shone again against Coventry. Sky Sports’ co-commentator admitted the Player of the Match call was a “toss up” between captain Martin Odegaard and Tzolis, eventually siding with the Norwegian.

Leandro Trossard, who scored vital goals last season – including the winner at West Ham that pushed Arsenal to the brink of the title – has moved on to Besiktas. Swapping a 31-year-old for a 24-year-old who already looks a dangerous outlet on the left has the hallmarks of shrewd, if cold, business.

Arsenal are also closing in on the next generation up front. After several windows of interest, they are finally set to complete a deal for Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon, 18, according to The Athletic. The teenager has featured for Blackburn’s Under-21s, England’s Under-17s and even made his senior debut in the EFL Cup last season.

Rovers are due £1.2m up front, £2m in add-ons and a 20% sell-on clause. That’s significantly lower than the reported £5m they were offered last summer. Arsenal believe they have landed a bargain for a player they have tracked for some time.

Konsa arrives, White watched, defence reshaped

At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal have already made one major move.

Ezri Konsa has joined from Aston Villa in a deal worth around £51m, with a further £4m in add-ons. With William Saliba currently sidelined, the England defender gives Arteta another established, Premier League-proven option alongside Gabriel and cover at right-back.

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.

“We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities, who will adapt seamlessly to our style of play. Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club. We welcome Ezri and his family to Arsenal.”

Konsa’s arrival could trigger movement elsewhere. Everton admire Ben White, who now faces increased competition with Jurrien Timber and Konsa both able to operate at full-back. White registered his first assist of the season against Coventry, but Arteta has struggled to fully trust him and a sale could free funds for late-window moves.

Everton’s interest has not gone away, and the numbers may soon dictate a decision.

Arteta leans into experience – and locks down Zubimendi

Arsenal’s recruitment this summer has not just been about potential. It has been about age, profile and timing.

Bruno Guimaraes and Konsa, both 28, arrive as players in what Arteta sees as their peak years. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal manager explained the thinking.

“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.”

Bruno arrives with the aura of a leader, having captained Newcastle to their first trophy in 56 years with their EFL Cup triumph. Konsa, meanwhile, was a key figure in England’s World Cup run and Aston Villa’s Europa League win last season, ending their 30-year wait for a European trophy.

That injection of experience has raised questions over Martin Zubimendi’s role. After a promising first Premier League season, the Spaniard has slipped down the pecking order, squeezed by Bruno’s arrival, the re-emergence of Ethan Nwaneri in midfield and Declan Rice’s return.

Chelsea are monitoring the situation, especially if Enzo Fernández forces an exit, while Real Madrid have also been linked after missing out on Rodri. Arteta, though, has drawn a firm line.

Asked about a possible Zubimendi departure, 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.”

For all the movement elsewhere, Zubimendi is staying put.

Odegaard’s level – and the striker that could unlock him

Martin Odegaard was back to his imperious best against Coventry, scoring in the 3-0 win and matching his entire league goal tally from last season on the opening night.

Gary Neville believes the right striker could take him even higher.

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

Odegaard, for his part, is relishing the depth and quality around him.

“I think the quality in the squad and team is unbelievable, you can put so many players in the squad and we would be at an unbelievably high level,” he told Sky Sports. “We push each other to be better in training to be better.”

Neville went even further post-match, arguing that an Álvarez-type signing could transform Arsenal’s ceiling.

“We think that Alvarez wants to go to Barcelona, but if Arsenal get Alvarez it would light this place up,” he said. “As well as having world-class defenders and midfielders, 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.”

That is the scale of the gamble Arsenal are weighing: push everything for Álvarez, or back Havertz and Gyokeres to carry the load.

Exit list ripped up, futures in flux

A CBS Sports report in May suggested Arsenal could move on as many as eight players this summer: Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Cristhian Mosquera.

Already, that looks dated.

Havertz and Odegaard both started, scored and impressed against Coventry. Odegaard took Player of the Match. Mosquera, signed from Valencia last summer, deputised confidently for the injured Saliba alongside Gabriel. Trossard has gone to Besiktas. The rest sit in varying shades of uncertainty.

White’s assist will help his case, but Konsa’s arrival keeps Everton’s interest alive. Martinelli and Jesus remain on Serie A radars. Nwaneri, after a loan at Marseille, may look for more minutes elsewhere, potentially on another temporary deal.

Arteta has been blunt about 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,” he said before the Premier League opener.

Names will have to go if the marquee forward is to arrive.

Partey’s next chapter

Away from the Emirates, a former cornerstone of Arteta’s midfield has found a new home.

Thomas Partey has completed a move to Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia. The Ghana international left Arsenal for Villarreal last summer after his contract expired, having made 167 appearances for the Gunners following his 2020 move from Atlético Madrid.

He now heads to the Saudi Pro League with a wealth of Premier League, European and international experience behind him.

Jackson domino and Arsenal’s Alvarez hope

There is one more twist that could yet reshape the Álvarez saga.

Atlético Madrid are battling Aston Villa for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson on loan, with director of football Mateu Alemany travelling to London to work on the deal.

Álvarez remains wanted by Arsenal, while Barcelona still sit as his preferred destination. Reports in Spain say Arteta has been in contact with the striker for some time, but the message from the player has not changed: he wants Barça.

Atlético, though, are now understood to be more open to selling Álvarez to clubs other than Barcelona. If Barça pivot to other options and Atlético land Jackson, the landscape shifts again.

At that point, with a replacement in the door and the Premier League money on the table, does Álvarez finally open the door to North London – or do Arsenal have to trust that Havertz’s hot streak is not just form, but the foundation of their season?