Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak to Arsenal transfer explained amid marquee January move hope

The clamour across the season for Arsenal to sign a brand new striker has perhaps never been louder. The club's title hopes are in disarray and a winless run in the league between these past two international breaks has awoken yet another supporter meltdown.

Despite that, the likelihood that Arsenal land the centre-forward that transforms their fortunes this winter remains very unlikely. Firstly, the candidate that Arsenal need has to be a player which can close the gap to a profile like Erling Haaland.

Either with a prolific striking record or the Premier League experience and potential at a smaller club to make the move and take their game to another level. There are only two candidates who would fit this mould around at the moment: Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak.

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Gyokeres had a ridiculous 2023/24 season, notching well over 50 goal contributions in fewer matches and already has 27 so far this campaign. The Sporting CP forward has a €100million (£83million) release clause which needs to be paid to sign him this winter according the club’s president.

"I can't promise anything. If a club arrives and pays the release clause, if he wants to go… he will go. But I do not think this will happen in January." The words of Frederico Varandas, who was adamant on the situation.

There have been suggestions that Alexander Isak's contract talks have hit problems on Tyneside. Despite his current deal running to 2028, there are claims that he could leave before then; although the likelihood of that happening in January are slim, and would require a huge fee.

Mikel Arteta addressed the idea of Arsenal signing a player in the financial realms of Declan Rice during the pre-season tour of the United States. It would be fair to say from his words the chances then and even now remain very small.

"We don’t expect to do anything like it," he said when asked about making a signing like Declan Rice. "That’s the reality."

This was not through choice but, instead, the financial restrictions that existed. While Arsenal made a lot in the summer with the sale of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Aaron Ramsdale, they spent most of what they made in with the incomings of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino.

That said, there remains some freedom to invest this winter as a result of the sales, but the demands of Gyokeres and Isak's clubs are expected to be greater than this, barring a surprise from the club. Some might then argue Arsenal should move for a cheaper option, as to not go without signing a striker this winter.

The question therefore is: why? Why not wait for the summer of 2025 when a new Profit and Sustainability Cycle begins and the club do have the capacity to move for a more expensive centre-forward?

Signing for the sake of signing has never been the Arsenal way and it seems that is not going to change. That said, there are attacking players who could still be looked at this winter in wide areas and attacking midfield that certainly should be considered.