The defending Premier League champions, Arsenal, could clinch a Champions League title if they manage to sign Argentine striker Julian Alvarez before the transfer window shuts, according to former England defender Gary Neville. The Gunners have kicked off the new season impressively, following their Community Shield triumph over Manchester City with a commanding 3-0 victory against newly promoted Coventry City. Yet, despite these early successes, Neville believes the squad still lacks a certain spark up front and points to Atletico Madrid’s prolific forward as the missing piece.
Neville, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, argues that Arsenal need "a bit of magic in attack" and that Alvarez would provide precisely that. He notes that clubs such as Barcelona, Paris Saint‑Germain and Arsenal have all expressed interest in the 23‑year‑old, even though Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil has repeatedly stated that the club is reluctant to sell the Argentine and would not even consider a £170 million offer. Neville encourages Arsenal to test the Spanish side’s resolve, suggesting that a bold move could propel the London club to the next level.
"What a squad Mikel Arteta has built," Neville said in a recent interview. "If they could add another world‑class striker like Julian Alvarez, it would light up the Emirates.
You’d have a top‑tier forward alongside a defence and midfield that are already among the best in Europe. That combination could take them from Premier League champions to Champions League winners. It’s a massive ten‑day window, and they need a player who can decide games when the rest of the team isn’t firing on all cylinders." Arsenal’s recent form has been encouraging.
After a solid performance in the Community Shield, they followed up with a comprehensive win over Coventry, showcasing a blend of defensive solidity and creative flair. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly emphasized that the primary focus remains on improving the cohesion among his players. In his post‑match press conference, Arteta highlighted the limited time he has had to see key figures like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Ben White operate together on the right side due to injury setbacks last season.
Neville contends that Ødegaard would become even more lethal with a striker of Alvarez’s caliber to feed. "Ødegaard is exceptional. If you pair him with an Ian Wright‑type forward who can make intelligent, short‑range runs, his impact would be amplified," Neville explained.
He added that while players such as Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres are willing to chase the ball, Ødegaard thrives on possession‑based play, and a target man like Alvarez would fit perfectly into Arteta’s tactical blueprint. Fellow Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher echoed the sentiment that Arsenal still need a special ingredient in attack, although he believes Saka and Ødegaard are edging closer to world‑class status.
Carragher observed, "Two years ago I thought Saka and Ødegaard were on the verge of breaking through. Injuries and inconsistent team performances have held them back, but the potential is still there.
They could soon match the output of players like Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mané, who have driven their clubs to titles." Despite the lack of a marquee striker, Arsenal secured the league title largely on the strength of their defensive unit and goalkeeper. Carragher suggested that the psychological boost of being reigning champions could elevate the squad without the need for a superstar signing, but he also admitted that a player of Alvarez’s quality would give Arteta a new dimension to work with. Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz, covering the match at the Emirates, highlighted the contributions of several emerging talents.
He praised the impact of Tzolis on the left wing, noting that after a quiet opening five minutes, the young forward ignited the game with two shots and two created chances within four minutes. Blitz also highlighted Ødegaard’s early season form, mentioning his goal that matched his league tally from the previous season, despite missing 30 matches across all competitions. The match also marked only the second time since December 2024 that Saka, Ødegaard and Havertz started together, and all three found the net against Coventry.
Blitz summed up the performance by stating, "Ødegaard feels like a new signing, and with three open‑play goals, Arsenal look like a rejuvenated side ready to challenge on every front." In summary, while Arsenal have already demonstrated a winning mentality and a solid foundation, the consensus among pundits is that adding a proven goal‑scorer such as Julian Alvarez could transform a strong team into a truly dominant force in Europe. Whether Atletico Madrid will relent on their price tag remains to be seen, but the next ten days will be crucial for Mikel Arteta’s side as they aim to convert domestic success into continental glory.