Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, could transform their season into a historic double by adding Argentine striker Julian Alvarez before the transfer deadline, according to former England defender and Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville. The Gunners have already shown they can dominate domestically, starting the campaign with a triumphant Community Shield victory over Manchester City followed by a convincing 3-0 win against newly promoted Coventry City. Yet Neville believes that to progress from national champions to European conquerors, Arsenal need an extra spark in attack, and he points directly at Atletico Madrid’s prolific forward.
Neville, who regularly appears on Sky Sports’ football panels, argued that Arsenal’s squad, built by manager Mikel Arteta, already boasts world‑class talent across the backline and midfield. "What a squad Arteta has assembled," he said. "If they can bring in a player of Alvarez’s calibre, it would illuminate the entire team. You would have a top‑tier striker to complement the elite defenders and midfielders already at the club." He went on to explain that Alvarez would not merely add depth; he would provide the decisive cutting edge needed in tight matches.
"They wouldn’t just be Premier League champions any more – they would be in a position to win the Champions League," Neville asserted. "It’s a massive ten‑day window. They need a bit of magic up front – someone who can score when the team is struggling to create chances." The interest in Alvarez is not limited to Arsenal.
Barcelona and Paris Saint‑Germain have also been linked with the Argentina international, but Atletico’s chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil has repeatedly stated that the club is reluctant to sell, even refusing offers as high as £170 million. Despite this, Neville urged Arteta to test Atletico’s resolve, suggesting that a bold bid could force the Spanish side to reconsider. In his post‑match press conference, Arteta emphasized that the primary objective remains improving the cohesion and understanding among his players. He highlighted that injuries last season prevented key figures such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Ben White from forming a regular partnership on the right flank.
Neville, however, believes that Ødegaard’s creative influence would be amplified with a striker like Alvarez to finish his passes. "Ødegaard is exceptional," Neville noted. "If Arsenal had an Ian Wright‑type forward who makes intelligent runs, Ødegaard’s impact would be even greater. Alvarez would fit perfectly into Arteta’s possession‑based style, allowing the midfielder to focus on creating rather than chasing down loose balls." Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher echoed the sentiment that Arsenal still lack a world‑class forward.
He praised the development of Saka and Ødegaard, acknowledging that injuries and inconsistent form have hindered their progress to the level of players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mané. Carragher added, "Arsenal won the league on the strength of their defence and goalkeeper, but a striker of Alvarez’s quality would elevate the team to a new psychological plane." Reporting from the Emirates Stadium, Sam Blitz highlighted the broader context of Arsenal’s transfer activity. He pointed out that while the club has secured promising talents like Tzolis, who lit up the opening minutes with two shots and two created chances, the overall window has been more productive than many expected.
Blitz also praised Ødegaard’s early season form, noting his goal in the Community Shield and his continued influence in the league, despite missing 30 matches across all competitions the previous season. The match against Coventry also marked a rare occurrence: for only the second time since December 2024, Saka, Ødegaard and Kai Havertz started together, each contributing to the scoreline. This trio’s chemistry suggests that Arsenal are evolving into a more fluid, attacking side, but the addition of a proven goal‑scorer could turn potential into tangible results.
In summary, Neville’s message to Arsenal is clear: the club has built a solid foundation, but to achieve the ultimate prize in Europe, they must act decisively in the final days of the transfer window. Securing Julian Alvarez would provide the cutting edge, the psychological boost, and the tactical flexibility needed to compete with the continent’s elite.
If Arteta can navigate the negotiations and convince Atletico to part with their star forward, Arsenal could very well write a new chapter in their history, moving from domestic dominance to continental glory.