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

That’s simply how issues have gone at Arsenal because the season bought 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 every week it seems to be like Arsenal have managed to lose 4 defenders with the most important two video games of the season looming massive.

Mikel Arteta tried to place a optimistic spin on issues after the sport, as he has accomplished 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 accomplished to deserve all of the misfortune that has come his method this season.

Saka’s return was such an ideal second. The thrill that swept across the stadium when he bought 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 rather unlikely that they’ll all be match to face Madrid.

In Gabriel’s case it feels unimaginable to suppose he might return so rapidly to function given it’s a hamstring downside and that’s an enormous blow.

However I’ve to say I feel the potential challenge 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’d have relished, so it’s such a disgrace to now have been robbed of seeing that.

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

It’s been a tricky season for the Poland worldwide thus far, 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 night time as a result of it definitely highlighted some main flaws defensively.

Sure, they discovered a strategy to win the tie, as they at all times appear to do, however the truth they conceded 4 targets at house reveals that there are weaknesses there that Arsenal might exploit.

I take a look at that crew and suppose Arsenal can get at them down the flanks. Gabriel Martinelli was glorious 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 large issues down their right-hand aspect, the place they’ve tended to make use of makeshift right-backs not too long ago.

We don’t know but whether or not Bukayo Saka will likely be match sufficient to begin the primary leg, but when he’s then he also can 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 may wager 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 tough 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, nevertheless, I simply suppose 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 attention-grabbing 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 listing 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 attention-grabbing 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 will 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 protracted chase for a goal who they’re most unlikely to get.

So Arteta would possibly want some convincing on the subject 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 will make sense for him to now look to carry him to North London.

From a private perspective, I feel I would favor 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 operating.

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 might keep the form of kind he has produced in Portugal within the Premier League, however I’m assured he would rating targets over right here.

After all he received’t rating the identical quantity that he has in Portugal, however I nonetheless see him having the aptitude 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 prior to now.

He’s the kind of participant that I actually suppose 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 suppose they want greater than that, whether or not that be one other out and out left winger or a playmaker kind, like Simons, who might play out vast or in a extra central position behind the ahead.

He will likely be costly, definitely over £60 million you’d suppose and that could 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, in all probability Martin Zubimendi.

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

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

As I stated, I feel it will be value 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 closing third.

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