The defending Premier League champions, Arsenal, could transform their season into a Champions League triumph if they manage to sign Argentine forward Julian Alvarez in the closing days of the summer transfer window, according to former Manchester United star Gary Neville. Arsenal have already made a strong start to the new campaign, building on their Community Shield victory over Manchester City with a convincing 3-0 win against newly promoted Coventry City. Despite this early momentum, Neville believes the Gunners still lack a certain spark up front – a player capable of delivering decisive moments when the team’s overall play is not at its best.
In his view, the ideal candidate to provide that extra edge is Julian Alvarez, the prolific striker currently plying his trade at Atletico Madrid. Neville’s comments come amid a growing list of elite clubs expressing interest in the Argentina international. Arsenal, Barcelona and Paris Saint‑Germain have all been linked with the 23‑year‑old, even though Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil has repeatedly stated that the club has no intention of selling Alvarez and would not even consider a £170 million offer.
Neville, however, is urging Arsenal’s hierarchy to test Atletico’s resolve, suggesting that a bold move could pay huge dividends. "What a squad Mikel Arteta has built," Neville said.
"If he can add another top‑class forward, and if they somehow manage to bring Julian Alvarez in, that would light this place up. You would have a world‑class striker to complement an already world‑class defence and midfield." He went on to stress the broader implications of such a signing: "They wouldn’t just be Premier League champions; they would take the next step and win the Champions League. It’s a massive ten‑day window – they need a bit of magic up front, someone who can win a game for you when the rest of the team isn’t playing at its best." In Arsenal’s post‑match press conference, manager Mikel Arteta emphasized that the primary focus remains improving the cohesion and understanding among his players.
He highlighted the limited time that Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Ben White spent together on the right side of the pitch last season due to injuries, noting that greater familiarity could unlock new levels of performance. Neville believes that Ødegaard, in particular, would become even more lethal with a striker of Alvarez’s calibre supporting him.
"Ødegaard is exceptional. If you had an Ian Wright‑type forward making those intelligent, quick runs, his influence would be amplified," he explained. "Alvarez would fit perfectly into Arsenal’s style, allowing Ødegaard to play more incisively rather than resorting to safe, short passes." Fellow Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher echoed the sentiment that Arsenal still need a special element in attack, though he also praised the progress of Ødegaard and Saka.
"I still think Arsenal lack a world‑class player in the front four," Carragher said. "Two years ago I thought Saka and Ødegaard were on the brink of that next step, but injuries and inconsistent form have held them back.
They were close to the levels of players like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, who have driven their clubs to titles." Carragher added that Arsenal’s recent league triumph was achieved largely on the strength of their defence and goalkeeper, rather than a dominant attacking line. Yet he remains optimistic about the potential of Saka and Ødegaard to return to their previous heights. "The psychological boost of being champions will elevate the squad, perhaps even more than splashing out on a superstar," he concluded. On the ground at the Emirates, Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz observed that Arsenal’s transfer activity has already exceeded many expectations.
He highlighted the emergence of Tzolis, describing him as a “real livewire” on the left wing who ignited the game after a quiet start with two shots and two created chances within four minutes. Blitz noted Tzolis’s involvement in both goals that sealed the victory, first winning a high ball and then delivering a cross for Saka’s finish. Blitz also praised Ødegaard’s early-season contributions, noting that he followed up the dazzling Community Shield performance with a goal that matched his league tally from the previous season, despite missing 30 matches across all competitions. He pointed out that this fixture marked only the second time since December 2024 that Saka, Ødegaard and Kai Havertz started together, and all three found the net against Coventry.
The reporter summed up the atmosphere: "Ødegaard feels like a new signing, and with three open‑play goals, Arsenal look like a newly revitalised side." In summary, Neville’s call to action is clear: Arsenal should make a decisive push for Julian Alvarez before the window shuts, as his arrival could provide the decisive cutting edge required to convert domestic dominance into European glory. While Atletico’s stance on selling the Argentine forward remains firm, the potential reward for Arsenal – a world‑class striker complementing an already elite squad – could justify a bold and potentially historic investment. The next ten days will be crucial in determining whether the Gunners can seize this opportunity and elevate themselves from Premier League champions to Champions League victors.