As rival fans have been so intent on reminding the Arsenal faithful in recent weeks, this season is yet another that the team are set to finish second in the Premier League.
Instead of Manchester City, it’s Liverpool who have pipped them to the post this time, although, with the Reds now 15 points ahead, it’s not been all that close.
Frustratingly, Mikel Arteta’s side still have the best defence in the competition, so the failure to finally get over the line once again falls at the feet of their faltering attack, which has scored 14 fewer goals than the Champions.
So, with it clear where the club need to strengthen in the summer, it’s hardly been a surprise to see endless reports linking them to some of the most exciting strikers around, such as Viktor Gyokeres and, previously, Alexander Isak.
However, if recent reports are to be believed, Andrea Berta and Co could now be looking at a cheaper alternative to the former, who is currently outscoring the latter.
Arsenal's striker search
Arteta and Co’s desire to sign Isak is hardly a secret, and considering he’s racked up a brilliant haul of 26 goals and six assists in 39 games this season, it’s hardly surprising either.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, with a price tag that could exceed £150m, it’s a transfer that looks like it’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Gyokeres, on the other hand, feels a little more realistic.
The Sporting CP monster has been in absurd form this season, scoring 52 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 games, and it looks like he could be available for around £70m.
Yet, even then, that’s a lot of money to spend on a single player if the Gunners want to improve other areas of the squad as well, which might explain the links to Daizen Maeda.
According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in the Celtic star.
Alongside the Gunners, the report revealed that Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and other Premier League sides have watched the Japanese international this year.
While the level of competition for the attacker is far from ideal, the fact he could be available for a fee of just £25m is undoubtedly positive news.
It might not be a transfer that excites the fans, but given his price tag and his incredible output, it might be one worth fighting for.
Why Arsenal might want to sign Maeda
The first thing to say is that we aren’t claiming that Maeda is a better player than Isak or Gyokeres, but there are certainly a few arguments for why Arsenal might want to sign him over the latter.
Obviously, the first reason is the price, as at just £25m, the Japanese international’s arrival would conceivably allow the club to go big on at least one or two other attacking players to completely rejuvenate the entire frontline.
However, saving money is not going to excite the fans, so what are the tangible reasons that the Gunners may opt to pull the trigger on him?
Well, first and foremost, he’s proven himself to be a lean, mean output machine north of the border.
For example, this season alone, he has racked up an unreal tally of 33 goals and 11 assists in just 47 first-team appearances, totalling 3711 minutes of action.
Appearances
47
39
Minutes
3711′
3054′
Goals
33
26
Assists
11
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.93
0.82
Minutes per Goal Involvement
84.34′
95.43′
That means the Osaka-born “physical beast,” as dubbed by former boss Ange Postecoglou, is averaging a goal involvement every 1.06 games, or every 84.34 minutes, and on top of that, he’s outscoring Isak.
Moreover, he’s a versatile attacker and can play off either wing or straight down the middle, and if we know anything about Arteta, it’s that he appreciates players who are comfortable in more than one position.
Ultimately, while Gyokeres would be the more exciting signing, Maeda still looks like he’d be a fine addition to the Gunners attack, and if he can replicate even half of his form north of the border in the capital, then the Emirates might finally see the Premier League trophy next season.
He'd revive Odegaard: Arsenal racing to sign £70m goalscoring "powerhouse"
Martin Odegaard could do with some additional firepower with him at Arsenal.
ByJack Salveson HolmesMay 1, 2025
