Sterling dilemma, new Havertz role - Arsenal strongest XI after Evan Ferguson transfer bombshell

In February 2022 it is probable that Brighton's Evan Ferguson was more likely to get a big-money move to a top Premier League side than Viktor Gyokeres. Then at Coventry, attempting to gain promotion to the Premier League, the Sporting CP striker was a world away from the attention he has now gained.

In the 12 months that followed, both took astronomical steps towards becoming £100million players. Firstly, Ferguson made his debut in the Premier League (February 19, 2022), and would go on to bag three times in as many weeks to earn continental plaudits.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, went from Championship to Champions League for less than £20million, hitting 16 league goals before March in Portugal. He would end the season with 29 - firing in another 14 in all competitions for Sporting. Ferguson managed six in total for Brighton as he cemented his place as one of the best teenage talents in the world.

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Sweden international Gyokeres had started to make it onto the radars of most top teams, at least as an inquisitive option ahead of a summer transfer window lacking available elite No.9s, whilst Ferguson was hotly tipped to be Brighton's next big sale. Simply due to his age - Ferguson is six years younger than Gyokeres - there was already a large disparity in the reported values of the pair.

Gyokeres was being linked with bids of around £60million whilst Brighton - fresh from selling Marc Cucurella for over £60million themselves in 2022, as well as Alexis Mac Allister and then Moises Caicedo later on in the 2023 summer window for a British transfer record - had slapped a £100million price tag on Ferguson. At the time only one of them looked anything like sensible (and in truth, neither did particularly). It wasn't Gyokeres.

What has happened since has seen the tables turn. Gyokeres has already scored 30 goals this season alone. Ferguson is third-choice at Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler. Once the golden boy of the next generation, a striker compared to Didier Drogba for his phyiscal attributes and early impressions, he went nearly an entire year without scoring.

Blighted by injury (and loss of form at the start of his career), Ferguson dropped off the map. That is until the Telegraph reported this week that he would be available for a loan move in January. So, after two years of hype and expectation, is he worth a go for Arsenal?

The Gunners were looking for a new striker over the summer and players of the same build to Ferguson were pursued. Gyokeres himself was one of them, as was primary target Benjamin Sesko. It is expected that the latter will be the centre of much mass bidding again in 2025.

The failure to sign a backup centre forward to rotate and compete naturally with Kai Havertz has left Mikel Arteta stunted at times. Gabriel Jesus has continued to battle with fitness more than his teammates and is a different profile entirely to Havertz, Sekso, Ferguson, and Gyokeres.

Meanwhile, the loan spots have been taken up by Raheem Sterling, who joined from Chelsea in a surprise deadline day move, and second-choice goalkeeper Neto. Only two can be registered at one time, according to league rules, which means if Arsenal were to try and get Ferguson as mid-season reinforcement they would need to let one go.

That feels unlikely but may not be impossible. Arsenal have more cover on the wings than they do upfront, even with Jesus, so there is a Ferguson-sized conversation to be had.

How would this impact the rest of the team, though? Well, in truth, not that much. The strongest backline stays the same with David Raya behind Ben White (when fit), William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori.

Things in midfield can be a bit more flexible. Declan Rice certainly plays and can be alongside Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in the most physically imposing selection. That would leave Bukayo Saka on the right, Gabriel Martinelli on the left, and Ferguson to try and convince Arteta he is worth a go over Havertz.

Arteta could also chuck them both into the same team, dropping Merino out and giving Havertz the nod in a deeper midfield role that he was initially signed to fulfill. That is certainly more attacking.

The question for Arsenal with this hypothetical Ferguson scenario is whether the benefit is worth the risk. They will, surely, go into the market for another striker over the summer, be it Gyokeres or Sesko. Taking Ferguson has possible long-term solutions and impacts but may also simply see the price for a permanent deal rise with no guarantee of bringing him back. It would also shift the environment that Havertz has started to perform so admirably in.

In 2022 it wouldn't have been ridiculous to suggest Arsenal might look to sign Ferguson over Gyokeres. Now, with the money and the change in fortunes for the pair, it seems more outlandish.