Alvarez Remains at Atletico – Does Arsenal’s Attack Lack Depth?

Julian Alvarez will not be joining Arsenal this summer; he has decided to stay at Atletico Madrid after a failed attempt to move to Barcelona and a lack of interest from the Premier League side. This development leaves Mikel Arteta without the high‑profile striker he had been targeting, adding another layer of complexity to Arsenal's already turbulent transfer window. The saga surrounding Alvarez stretched right up to the deadline day, but the Argentine forward never demonstrated a genuine desire to relocate to north London.

While Arsenal were still hoping to lure him back to the Premier League, the club ultimately had to settle for Christos Tzolis as the sole addition to their front line. The summer’s activity in attack therefore boiled down to one incoming player versus four departures: Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and the loan of teenager Ethan Nwaneri to Borussia Dortmund. The loss of those three established forwards and the loan of Nwaneri leaves Arsenal with a noticeably thinner striking department. The question now is whether the Gunners have left themselves vulnerable by not only sacrificing quality but also sheer numbers up front.

**Left‑wing concerns** The left side of the pitch has become a particular weak spot. Tzolis is the only player Arsenal can realistically count on for that role until the January window opens. Both Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke can operate there, but they are also expected to rotate and provide cover for midfield talisman Martin Ødegaard and winger Bukayo Saka in other areas of the attack.

Eze showed glimpses of his ability to handle the left‑wing duties when he came off the bench against Aston Villa, yet neither he nor Tzolis possess the blistering pace and one‑on‑one threat that Arteta has historically favoured. They lack the instinct to make runs behind the defence that Martinelli displayed so regularly. Tzolis does have a reputation for durability; during his stint with Club Brugge he amassed just under 4,400 minutes across the season.

That workload is roughly 900 minutes shy of the combined minutes logged by Martinelli and Trossard for Arsenal last term. If Arsenal expect Tzolis to fill the gap, he may need to feature in about ten more games than he did last season – a significant increase that could test his stamina and consistency. **Centre‑forward dilemmas** In the centre of the attack, Arsenal are also short‑handed. The departure of Gabriel Jesus, who barely featured in 2026, leaves a vacancy alongside Kai Havertz and the newly signed Viktor Gyökeres.

Earlier in the summer Arteta admitted that the title race seemed to slip away in November when the Gunners were left with only Mikel Merino as a viable striker. Merino can certainly cover the role, but relying on a midfielder to lead the line is far from ideal for a club that aspires to challenge for silverware. Nevertheless, Arteta may argue that the centre‑forward position has been bolstered without a further signing thanks to the £75 million acquisition of Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian midfielder proved last season to be one of the Premier League’s most effective disruptors of opposition defences, even delivering an impressive cameo on his debut against Aston Villa.

While Guimarães is not a traditional number nine, his ability to arrive late into the box and link play could partially offset the loss of a natural striker. **Youth prospects and versatility** Another factor that could soften the blow is the emergence of 16‑year‑old Max Dowman.

Previously considered a wildcard, Dowman is now expected to take on a more regular role, potentially covering the right wing and the number‑10 position when Madueke and Eze are deployed elsewhere. His versatility adds a valuable layer of depth, especially given Arsenal’s policy of maintaining at least two options for every position. The Gunners have also reinforced their defensive options, a move prompted by William Saliba’s long‑term injury that forced the club to sign centre‑back Ezri Konsa.

With Jurrien Timber and Ben White still prone to injury issues – White even struggled against Villa on Monday – the additional right‑back cover is welcome. Arsenal now boast a back‑up defensive line consisting of White, Konsa, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié, a quartet that could serve as a first‑choice back four for many other Premier League teams. **Comparative market activity** While Arsenal’s attacking reinforcements look modest, rivals Manchester City have made headline‑grabbing signings, revamping their midfield with Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernández.

Chelsea, too, have shored up several weak spots, adding a new goalkeeper, strengthening the defence and injecting experience throughout the squad. Both clubs appear well‑equipped to challenge for the title, leaving Arsenal’s attacking shortcomings more apparent.

**Looking ahead** The true test of whether Arsenal’s reduced forward options will hinder their title ambitions will come early in the season. The Gunners face Chelsea in a crucial Premier League clash this Sunday at 4.30 pm on Sky Sports. That match will provide an early barometer of how well Arteta’s revised attacking setup can compete against a side that has bolstered its ranks more aggressively.

In summary, Julian Alvarez’s decision to remain at Atletico Madrid has left Arsenal without a marquee striker, compelling the club to rely on a mix of existing talent, youthful promise and tactical flexibility. While the depth in defence and midfield looks solid, the left‑wing and centre‑forward positions may feel stretched, especially if injuries arise or form dips. Whether this perceived shortage will translate into a tangible disadvantage over the course of the season remains to be seen, but it certainly adds an extra layer of intrigue to Arsenal’s campaign.