Arsenal eye Julián Álvarez as Arteta targets new striker for 2026-27 season

Julián Álvarez could be Arsenal’s next striker target as the club eyes a replacement for Gabriel Jesus for the 2026-27 season. **The Athletic** reports that Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta is weighing up the Argentina international alongside Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi to bolster his centre-forward options.

What does Arteta want from a striker?

Arteta has spent six and a half years shaping Arsenal’s attack around strikers who do more than just score. The ideal profile combines pressing, link-up play, and intelligent movement. Gabriel Jesus initially fit this role after arriving from Manchester City in July 2022, though his departure creates a gap. Arteta’s recent forwards-Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and now Viktor Gyokeres-have all been judged against this blueprint.

Gyokeres signed from Sporting CP last summer for a £54m fee, but his first season in north London underwhelmed. He scored 14 goals in the Premier League and 21 across all competitions, yet gaps in his game and Jesus’s expected exit have pushed Arsenal back into the market.

Why Julián Álvarez fits Arteta’s striker profile

Alvarez, 26, offers the versatility Arteta demands. Thierry Henry, the Arsenal legend, called him “one of my favourite nines” last year, praising his ability to press alone, drop deep, and combine with midfielders. At Atletico Madrid, he has racked up 49 goals in 106 games since 2022, often playing as the sole striker.

His record at Manchester City (36 goals in 103 games) shows his adaptability. Early seasons saw him thrive as a pure goal threat, but over time he’s added deeper involvement. Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, recently highlighted Alvarez’s free-kick against Real Madrid as proof of his growing influence beyond finishing.

How Kroupi compares to Alvarez

Eli Junior Kroupi, 22, of Bournemouth, is the other name in Arsenal’s crosshairs. While Kroupi is younger and less decorated, his physical profile and hold-up play could complement Arteta’s system. The Athletic’s analysis suggests Kroupi’s link-up ability aligns with Arteta’s preference for strikers who act as a platform for attacks.

Alvarez, though, brings proven elite experience. His Champions League pedigree and trophy haul with City-including four Premier League titles-add weight to his profile. Kroupi, by contrast, has yet to feature in Europe’s premier club competition.

What happens next in Arsenal’s striker hunt?

Arsenal’s window remains open, but the centre-forward market lacks elite options. Gyokeres’s future is uncertain, and Jesus is set to leave. The club’s scouting team is expected to accelerate talks with both Alvarez and Kroupi before the transfer window closes.

Arteta’s next move will hinge on whether he prioritises Alvarez’s Champions League experience and all-round game or Kroupi’s potential and long-term upside. Either way, the decision will shape Arsenal’s attack for the 2026-27 season and beyond.

The Athletic’s report, published on 17 July 2026, frames the race as a direct battle between two strikers who could redefine Arsenal’s frontline.