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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has insisted Atletico Madrid attacker Julian Alvarez could prove to be a transformational signing for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta's side failed to sign a striker in both of their past two transfer windows despite facing scrutiny for their sub-par offensive displays. The north London club subsequently finished the 2024-25 season trophyless after losing Kai Havertz to injury earlier this February.
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During a recent chat on the Stick to Football podcast, Henry was queried to offer his thoughts on Arsenal's need for a number nine. He replied (h/t Metro):
"He got [Raheem] Sterling [on loan] when everyone wanted a nine. He had time to get a nine. I'm not the coach, I don't know the discussion. Everyone has been screaming or a nine, apart from when we win by the way! Because when we beat Real Madrid, we don't need a nine. You do need a nine."
Henry, who guided the Gunners to two Premier League titles, continued:
"I don't understand the change... people change the way they talk. We need a nine when we're not scoring and then suddenly we go on a run and nobody mentions that we need a nine. But you need a nine, for me, a nine."
Asked to name the ideal Arsenal target, the ex-Juventus man replied:
"One of my favourite nines out there at the minute is Julian Alvarez. We've been talking about it: putting pressure on, playing it long, low, whatever you want to do. You see the free-kick he scored the other day? He can hold the ball alone."
Hailing the former Manchester City and River Plate striker, Henry added:
"He played at the Olympic Games, he played at the Copa America and I don't hear him saying he's tired. The way he plays it, I just like him. But is it possible [that Arsenal can sign him]? I don't know."
Alvarez, 25, has netted 29 goals in 54 overall outings for Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal close in on 26-year-old striker
As per Portuguese newspaper Correio de Manha, Arsenal have initiated contact with Viktor Gyokeres' agent. They have made an offer worth £59 million before add-ons for the Sporting CP star.
The Gunners have also offered the attacker a £10 million signing-on fee and a five-year deal worth around £110,000-per-week before bonuses.
Gyokeres, 26, has registered a staggering 97 goals and 28 assists in 102 total appearances for Sporting CP since leaving Coventry City in 2023.
