After a long search, Arsenal finally brought in a new striker this summer to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s attack, but it’s still not clear if they found the right fit.

Viktor Gyokeres has had trouble finding his footing in the Premier League, managing just three non-penalty goals so far this season.

It’s been tough going for both Gyokeres and Sesko. The recruitment team also deserve criticism for only shortlisting those two players.

While Sesko and Gyokeres were the last two names considered before the decision was made, there were other options on the table. One of them was Julian Alvarez.

Julian Alvarez faces unfamiliar struggles after strong start to Atletico career

David Ornstein confirmed that Arsenal had been monitoring Alvarez following his impressive first season at Atletico Madrid.

Berta was the one who brought him to Atletico in 2024, and it paid off immediately. Alvarez hit 29 goals across all competitions in the 2024/25 season.

This year, though, things have taken a turn. And since the Gunners showed interest, he’s found goals harder to come by.

Spanish agent and former player Peton spoke about this drop-off during an appearance on Tiempo de Juego:

“He [Alvarez] has never played in his life like he did at Atletico de Madrid. Never, ever,” Peton said.

“The slump of these last three months is not due to Atlético de Madrid, nor even to their coach, but to Julian Alvarez.”

Peton didn’t hold back on his assessment of the 25-year-old’s current form. Eight games without a goal have raised concerns about what he called a ‘fundamental problem’ for Atletico.

“Until Atletico de Madrid recovers, until they rescue Julian Alvarez, they have a fundamental problem, which is goals because he’s not just the one who scores goals, he’s the one who opens the door for many other goals from his teammates.”

Fans will note that it feels typical for an Arsenal-linked striker to suddenly stop scoring — something they’ve already seen with Gyokeres after his 54-goal campaign last year.

Why Julian Alvarez remains a sensible option for Arsenal despite recent struggles

Julian Alvarez was linked with a move to the Emirates last summer, and while nothing materialised, there’s still reason to believe he’d be a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Despite his current dip in form at Atletico Madrid, it would be premature to write him off. Alvarez has already shown he can handle the demands of English football during his time at Manchester City.

While he wasn’t a regular starter under Pep Guardiola, he consistently performed well when given the chance. He finished his debut season with 20 league goals, finding the net every 165 minutes on average.

Even if Berta has cooled on the idea of signing Alvarez in recent months, it wouldn’t be surprising if the club reconsidered. The Argentina international has already proven himself at the highest level.