Arsenal have submitted a bid exceeding £50 million to acquire a talented new forward, often described as having “magical” abilities, with the intention of replacing Kai Havertz in their squad. This move highlights the club’s ambition to strengthen their attacking options for the season.

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to make a significant move in the transfer market, with plans to land a new forward for manager Mikel Arteta. This move is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to address the issues they’ve been facing in attack, particularly in open play.

 

So far this season, Arsenal have found it challenging to break down defenses from open play, with their offensive struggles becoming more apparent in recent matches. During their 1-1 draw against Fulham, the Gunners struggled to convert opportunities despite dominating possession. William Saliba’s equalizing goal, scored from a corner, was a reminder of the team’s growing reliance on set-pieces rather than sustained attacking play. In fact, Arsenal have only managed to generate an expected goal (xG) of at least 1 from open play on three occasions in 15 Premier League matches this season, ranking them a lowly 13th in the league for open-play expected goals.

 

This offensive inefficiency has been highlighted by the underperformance of key players. Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, for example, have yet to score in the Premier League this season despite collectively accumulating nearly 400 minutes of play. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s forwards—Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard—have combined for just 11 goals, only four more than the defenders.

 

Mikel Arteta, speaking after the frustrating draw with Fulham, expressed his disappointment over the narrow margins that have cost his team victories. Despite Arsenal dominating the game and creating numerous chances, Arteta pointed out how a single shot from Fulham led to their equalizer. The manager emphasized how small differences—like Gabriel Martinelli’s narrow offside—are the difference between winning and losing at the highest level.

 

In light of these offensive shortcomings, reports suggest that Arsenal are now looking to strengthen their forward line. According to sources in Spain, the club is once again targeting Joao Pedro, the talented Brazilian striker from Brighton. Pedro has caught the attention of many this season, impressing with his performances at the AMEX Stadium after joining from Watford. With four goals and three assists in just nine appearances this season, Pedro has proven to be a versatile and impactful forward, earning praise from Brighton supporters, including content creator Ryan Adsett, who dubbed him “magic.”

 

It is reported that Arsenal sees Pedro as an ideal fit for Arteta’s tactical setup, with the young forward viewed as a crucial addition to further enhance the squad. Arsenal are said to be prepared to offer between €55-65 million (£45m-£54m) for Pedro’s services, signaling their serious intent to secure his signature. While a move in January seems unlikely, the 23-year-old could be one to watch come the summer transfer window, as Arsenal continue their search for a solution to their attacking woes.