When Andrea Berta arrived at Arsenal towards the beginning of 2025, the transfer plan for the summer was abundantly clear.
The fact of the matter was that during his first window in charge, the squad needed more firepower and, chiefly, a striker was a necessity.
While there were links to the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, both of whom got big-money moves elsewhere in the Premier League, the Gunners concluded a deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swede had only spent two prolific seasons in Portugal with Sporting but he was already on the move and deservedly so.
Yet, while the centre forward has done a lot to improve the overall attack, there is a sense that they could do better in future windows.
Arsenal looking to sign new striker
Gyokeres may well have signed but Arsenal still do require a little bit more in attack.
Gabriel Jesus is back in full training but it’s wild to expect him to be at a productive level for a good few months yet after recovering from an ACL injury. Even if he did recover, he’s been linked with the exit door as he approaches the final 18 months of his deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz has also been a long-term absentee which has left Arsenal with only one fit centre forward for much of 2025/26 to date.
So, while Arsenal’s options in several areas now are deep, another striker wouldn’t go amiss.
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That’s where Borussia Dortmund frontman Serhou Guirassy comes into the equation.
According to reports in Spain, it suggests that Arteta and Co are vying with the likes of PSG for the striker’s services.
The report notes that Arsenal are ‘seriously considering’ a move but it’s likely they’ll have to pay around £44m in order to conclude a deal.
The Guinean has a release clause in his contract of that amount, meaning that like Gyokeres, he wouldn’t cost the earth to bring to England.
It’s said that Arsenal are thought to be willing to pay the required amount to get him out of Germany.
How Guirassy compares to Viktor Gyokeres
When Gyokeres signed for Arsenal while the club were on their pre-season Asia tour, there was much fanfare.
At last, Arteta had a proper goalscoring centre forward to add to his ranks. Last term, the former Coventry City star scored 54 goals in 52 games. It was a breathtaking campaign, one that saw him take home the Gerd Muller trophy for the best striker in the world during the last Ballon d’Or gala.
Yet, in Arsenal colours, Gyokeres has not had it all his own way. He’s been wasteful in front of goal and went on a barren run of seven games without scoring at one stage.
That said, he’s not been a complete flop. The Sweden international still has six goals to show for his efforts and has particularly pleased Arteta with what he’s offered to the team.
While he did not score during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League, Arteta summed up why he’s been so delighted with what the centre forward is offering. “I think he did the rest of the things you ask for from a striker. The way he’s linking with his teammates, the way he’s opening spaces, the way he’s threatening constantly the back line.”
However, while it does seem unlikely Arsenal will sign another striker, Guirassy could be an upgrade on what they already have.
Described as “one of the best centre-forwards in the world” by one notable football analyst on X, the 29-year-old has been in the form of his life over the last year. Crucially, he’s also demonstrated that form in a top-five European league, something Gyokeres had not done before touching down in London.
In 2024/25, Guirassy found the net on 38 occasions in 50 games, bagging a remarkable 13 goals in 14 Champions League matches. That included scoring five times across two outings with Barcelona.
But what separates him from Gyokeres? Well, a scorer of seven goals this term, the numbers showcase why.
Goals
0.51
0.45
Assists
0.10
0
xG
0.59
0.52
Shots
2.76
2.13
Shot on target %
59.3%
36.8%
Pass completion
72.2%
60.7%
Key passes
0.71
0.90
Passes into final 3rd
1.02
0.45
Successful take-ons
0.20
0.45
Progressive carries
1.63
0.90
Aerial duels won
2.86
1.80
Not only has Guirassy scored more goals per 90 minutes and offered a higher xG, but he excels in bringing others into the game too.
During the 2025/26 season to date, the Dortmund sensation has completed more accurate passes and more assists per 90. It might be Gyokeres who has played more key passes but clearly it’s the former who is more decisive with his final actions right now.
If that wasn’t enough, Guirassy is a better and less chaotic carrier of the ball. Gyokeres resembles something of a raging bull when he’s gallivanting forward but there’s more of a smoothness to Arsenal’s latest transfer target. The fact he averages more progressive carries substantiates that point.
To round things off, Guirassy is also far more likely to win his aerial duels, something that Arsenal have perhaps missed since Havertz’s injury.
To put Guirassy’s numbers into further context, he won more aerial duels (3.77) per 90 than the German did (3.03) in 2024/25.
So, while the Dortmund striker may only be one goal ahead of Gyokeres this term, he offers something of a hybrid situation between Arteta’s two leading marksman. That could well offer the Spanish manager a fabulous balance as Arsenal hunt down their first Premier League title in over two decades.