Edu can hand Mikel Arteta his dream Arsenal attack with £42m La Liga transfer

Arsenal set a number of new club records during the 2023/24 campaign. The Gunners won more games than in any other Premier League season (28) and also scored more goals that in any other Premier League campaign (91).

In fact, only Manchester City scored more goals (96) than Mikel Arteta's side last term, which is perhaps no surprise considering they have the likes of Erling Haaland in their squad. Despite Arsenal's prolific scoring form, however, there have been cries for the club to sign an out and out No.9 this summer.

Benjamin Sesko was heavily linked with a move before he committed his future to RB Leipzig, while the likes of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Joshua Zirkzee are just a handful of other names linked with a transfer to Emirates Stadium. The plan, however, was to never sign a prolific striker this summer.

football.london reported in February that Arsenal were unlikely to be in the market for an out and out No.9 this upcoming transfer window. The Gunners are confident they have the options in their squad to fill this role.

It's understood that Arsenal are more likely to sign a versatile forward who can play in multiple positions across the forward line. Leandro Trossard's impact since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion perhaps demonstrates why this is the case.

Gabriel Jesus was superb as a target man on occasions last season, while Kai Havertz proved himself equally adept, especially during the back end of the season. With Jesus and Havertz already in their squad along with Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal will feel they have the profiles in the squad required to challenge for the top trophies in world football.

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Arsenal are interested in improving the forward line this window, however, and one player being closely monitored is Nico Williams, football.london understands. The Athletic Bilbao star, 21, impressed for the Spanish side last season, scoring eight goals and assisting 17 in 37 appearances. Capable of playing on either wing but perhaps more comfortable on the left, Williams reportedly has a €50million (£42.1million) release clause in his contract.

The winger is part of Spain's Euro 2024 squad and has also attracted interest from Barcelona and Tottenham. Arsenal sporting director Edu spoke about Arsenal's impressive goalscoring ability amid links to a striker earlier this year and it appears that the Brazilian is open to improving the front line.

"I understand what the fans are asking for but we have already our ideas, our targets," he told TNT Sports. "We plan a lot ahead of what we’re going to face.

"I would be worried if we're not scoring a lot of goals, if we're not creating chances, which is the opposite, I think we're creating a lot, we're scoring a lot of goals. The plan is to every year to try to get better, I think we’re in a good moment and let's see if we can keep improving."

With Williams in Germany with his Spanish teammates, any deal may now have to wait until after the tournament, which finishes on July 14. However, with Spain facing Croatia, Italy and Albania in Group B, Arteta and Edu will at least get a chance to see Williams in action before deciding whether to pursue a move for the winger.