Arsenal column: Viktor Gyokeres latest, £60m playmaker links, injury blow & more

The win in opposition to Fulham on Tuesday completely encapsulated Arsenal’s season.

You had the constructive of Bukayo Saka coming again, one thing that boosted the entire membership. And then you definitely had the crushing disappointment of seeing Gabriel Magalhaes limp off early with a hamstring harm.

That’s simply how issues have gone at Arsenal for the reason that season acquired underway. Accidents have simply been the theme of the marketing campaign.

And clearly it’s not simply Gabriel. It’s Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White as effectively. Within the house of per week it appears to be like like Arsenal have managed to lose 4 defenders with the largest two video games of the season looming massive.

Mikel Arteta tried to place a constructive spin on issues after the sport, as he has finished all season. He’s by no means seemed to make use of the accidents as an excuse, however deep down he should be questioning what he’s finished to deserve all of the misfortune that has come his method this season.

Saka’s return was such an important second. The thrill that swept across the stadium when he acquired up simply to warm-up confirmed how a lot has been missed.

And for him to then come on and find yourself scoring the winner was unbelievable. He simply writes his personal scripts.

It’s huge for Arsenal to have him again and with Gabriel Martinelli trying very sharp as effectively it does bode effectively forward of the Actual Madrid ties.

However the points on the again now are an enormous fear. We don’t but know the extent of the accidents to Gabriel, Timber and White – however you’re feeling it is extremely unlikely that they are going to all be match to face Madrid.

In Gabriel’s case it feels unattainable to assume he may return so shortly to function given it’s a hamstring downside and that’s an enormous blow.

However I’ve to say I feel the potential situation with Timber is much more worrying. If he and White each miss out that might imply Thomas Partey at right-back in opposition to Vinicius Junior and that might be an enormous downside for Arsenal.

The timing is simply so disappointing.

It will have been nice to have seen Gabriel and William Saliba collectively up in opposition to Madrid’s assault. It will have been a problem they might have relished, so it’s such a disgrace to now have been robbed of seeing that.

I’m unsure what Arteta will do, I suppose that every one relies on what occurs with Timber and White. However you’d assume the almost definitely possibility is that Jakub Kiwior will are available in and accomplice Saliba.

It’s been a tricky season for the Poland worldwide up to now, his alternatives have been restricted. However what an opportunity this might be to make himself a hero.

I feel everybody at Arsenal would have watched Actual Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg tie in opposition to Actual Sociedad with curiosity on Tuesday evening as a result of it definitely highlighted some main flaws defensively.

Sure, they discovered a approach to win the tie, as they at all times appear to do, however the truth they conceded 4 targets at residence exhibits that there are weaknesses there that Arsenal may exploit.

I have a look at that crew and assume Arsenal can get at them down the flanks. Gabriel Martinelli was wonderful in opposition to Fulham and if he can assault with that form of vitality and intent in opposition to Madrid then he’ll trigger them huge issues down their right-hand aspect, the place they’ve tended to make use of makeshift right-backs just lately.

We don’t know but whether or not Bukayo Saka will likely be match sufficient to start out the primary leg, but when he’s then he may trigger them points. Actual had Eduardo Camavinga at left-back in opposition to Sociedad. I doubt he’ll play there in opposition to Arsenal, but when he does then you possibly can guess Saka will look to focus on him.

So there are prospects there for Arsenal. Actual will clearly be favourites, particularly with the problems Arsenal have on the again themselves.

I feel will probably be actually troublesome for Arsenal with out Gabriel, particularly if Timber can be out. With each of them match, then I feel Arsenal would have an opportunity, with out each of them, nonetheless, I simply assume Madrid’s superior firepower will likely be sufficient to see them by.

You by no means thought, that is soccer in spite of everything. There’s at all times an opportunity.

It was fascinating to see the brand new hyperlinks to Viktor Gyokeres this week following the appointment of Andrea Berta.

David Ornstein reported within the Athletic that the Sweden worldwide has moved additional up the record of potential striker targets for the Gunners forward of the summer time switch window.

Curiosity in Gyokeres has at all times been there, though it’s been comparatively lukewarm of late. So it’s fascinating that he seems now that curiosity seems to have heated up upon Berta’s arrival.

We’ll must see if it goes any additional than that and I feel it could definitely present Berta’s affect if it does, as a result of it feels fairly clear that Mikel Arteta has maybe had different targets in thoughts.

We all know that his dream signing can be Alexander Isak, however that feels completely unrealistic to me and the very last thing Arsenal want this summer time can be a chronic chase for a goal who they’re most unlikely to get.

So Arteta may want some convincing in the case of specializing in different targets and Berta will clearly play an enormous half in that.

He clearly likes Gyokeres given the earlier hyperlinks we’ve seen between the striker and Atletico Madrid, so it could make sense for him to now look to convey him to North London.

From a private perspective, I feel I would like him to Benjamin Sesko.

I like Sesko from what I’ve seen of him and I wouldn’t be disenchanted if he does find yourself being the striker that Arsenal land, however I might have extra confidence in Gyokeres hitting the bottom working.

I like how direct he’s. It’s simply all about scoring targets with him. Sure, there will likely be doubts over whether or not he may keep the form of type he has produced in Portugal within the Premier League, however I’m assured he would rating targets over right here.

After all he gained’t rating the identical quantity that he has in Portugal, however I nonetheless see him having the potential to be a really succesful ahead with Arsenal.

I’m an enormous fan of Xavi Simons, who has as soon as once more been linked with Arsenal. He’s a participant they’ve checked out up to now.

He’s the kind of participant that I actually assume they should add to the squad, which is why I hope their attacking reinforcements this summer time don’t simply cease with a striker.

I actually assume they want greater than that, whether or not that be one other out and out left winger or a playmaker sort, like Simons, who may play out extensive or in a extra central position behind the ahead.

He will likely be costly, definitely over £60 million you’d assume and that may be an issue, given Arsenal are going to must commit at the very least £120m or so on a brand new striker and a brand new midfielder, most likely Martin Zubimendi.

A brand new backup keeper additionally needs to be secured, so it’s shaping as much as be a summer time which is able to see a big outlay from Arsenal within the switch market.

Whether or not that can cease them with the ability to push the boat out for Simons or somebody related may effectively rely upon whether or not they handle to herald some cash from gross sales.

As I stated, I feel it could be price it as a result of this squad is crying out for a little bit of unpredictability in assault. Somebody who can do one thing out of nothing within the last third.

Simons has proven he can try this and Eberechi Eze is one other I imagine might be a very good match.