Riccardo Calafiori was one of the stars of Euro 2024. Italy might have underwhelmed at the tournament, but the 22-year-old proved himself as more than good enough for the elite level, sparking interest in him across Europe. It is, therefore, something of a coup that the Arsenal manager landed Calafiori from Bologna before anyone else could. Calafiori will strengthen the defensive ranks at the Emirates Stadium.

The Italian international is capable of playing left-back, which could be where he fits into Mikel Arteta’s team ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, in which Arsenal will be expected to be among the title favourites once more. Have Arsenal, however, made a mistake by not prioritising the signing of a new centre forward this summer? This was, after all, the focus of widespread discussion in January when Arteta hinted at his desire to add an elite-level striker to his squad. Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen, Dominic Solanke, and others were linked, but Arsenal kept their powder dry.

Back Ivan Toney to join Arsenal this summer at 7/2

The common assumption was that Arsenal would pick up their interest in a new centre forward this summer, but there has been very little speculation around potential targets now that the transfer window is open. With Calafiori’s transfer now complete, the Gunners are expected to move for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino, not a striker. Arsenal might have won the Premier League title last season (and the season before that) had they boasted an elite-level goal-scoring centre-forward.

While Erling Haaland topped the scoring charts with 27 goals in 31 games, Arsenal’s top scorer in the league was Bukayo Saka—a winger, not a striker. Kai Havertz played much of the 2024/25 campaign through the middle, but the German international is a midfielder by trade. Havertz gives Arsenal a lot of movement and fluidity in the final third, but he lacks the finishing instincts of some of the best centre-forwards at the top of European football. Gabriel Jesus is an attacker by trade but has struggled for fitness over the last two seasons. What’s more, the Brazilian is a facilitator like Havertz and isn’t exactly known for being ruthless in front of goal.

Then there’s Eddie Nketiah, who is likely to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, having failed to make the grade. Of course, much of Arsenal’s approach is about getting the wide players into a position where they can attack the box and score goals. Saka is a proven difference-maker on the right side while Gabriel Martinelli also has the ability to decide a match with his direct running off the left side. Arteta has built around the quality of his wingers. Martin Odegaard has benefited from Arsenal’s lack of a number nine who leaves on the shoulder of the last defender. The Norwegian midfielder is given the freedom to make runs into the penalty box from deep. The last two seasons have demonstrated just how well-constructed the Gunners are as a team.

Back Gyokeres to join Arsenal this summer at 8/5

In all other areas of his squad, though, Arteta has been quick to upgrade where possible. Last summer, for example, he pushed for the signing of Declan Rice to replace Granit Xhaka even after the Swiss midfielder had enjoyed his best season for the Gunners. The signing of David Raya also reflected the relentless drive to always improve. So far, though, Arteta has been unable to find the striker to take Arsenal to the next level. Elite-level attackers are expensive, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing that the Gunners have remained patient in the transfer market, but it will make catching City this season more difficult if they don’t bring in someone to elevate their frontline.

Back Arsenal to win the Premier League at 37/20 

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