A big week is on the cards for Arsenal. Andrea Berta has attacked the transfer market with intent and supporters are feeling positive energy heading into the new campaign.
The Gunners have already announced three new signings. Kepa Arrizabalaga has arrived to provide competition for David Raya, joining from Chelsea, while another Premier League talent in the shape of Christian Norgaard has arrived as Jorginho’s replacement.
The headline addition so far has been Martin Zubimendi. The Gunners have been courting the Spaniard for a while and have finally got their man, bringing him in for a £60m fee, officially confirming his signature last week.
But, there’s still much to do for Arsenal. Noni Madueke looks set to arrive after undergoing the final part of his medical on Monday.
It’s also expected Cristhian Mosquera will join from Valencia and Eberechi Eze is reportedly still on the club’s radar.
Still, the biggest deal of all will see a certain Viktor Gyokeres arrive in north London. It’s a move that’s set to make those in the Premier League envious.
Why Arsenal are signing Viktor Gyokeres
Goals, goals and more goals. We can wrap this segment up now, right?
For a long time now the missing piece of the puzzle at Arsenal has felt like a centre-forward. In 2024/25, no player reached double figures for goals in the Premier League. That was the first time that’s happened for the Gunners in over 100 years, dating back to the 1923/24 campaign.
Of course, Arsenal had to deal with injuries to the likes of Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka but their absence only illuminated the problems in Mikel Arteta’s frontline further.
As a result, the club seemingly had two options this summer. To sign RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Sporting’s Gyokeres.
Well, after a deal for Sesko looked as though it was going to be too expensive, Berta and Co decided to push harder for Gyokeres’ signature, pulling the trigger on a move over the weekend.
According to David Ornstein, the Reds are set to sign the Swede having finally agreed a fee with the Portuguese club that will see him move for a guaranteed price of £55m plus an extra £8.6m in add-ons.
That looks could represent a bargain considering the numbers he’s been registering in recent years.
While 2024/25 was a colossal campaign for the 27-year-old, scoring 54 goals in 52 games, he’s not just a one-season wonder.
Gyokeres also scored 43 goals for Sporting in his debut campaign and thrived at Coventry City, bagging 22 in his final year with the Sky Blues.
Arsenal need goals and Gyokeres certainly does them. Still, there’s an announcement reportedly incoming that may generate just as much fanfare.
Arsenal's exciting announcement after Gyokeres
While very few things will top the arrival of a new centre-forward, the renewal of Ethan Nwaneri’s contract would certainly provide just as much excitement.
Indeed, the youngster’s future at the Emirates Stadium has been up in the air in recent weeks, with reports emerging last week that Chelsea were ready to pounce with a new deal for the teenager stalling.
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Well, reports in recent days have suggested that Arsenal have overcome any impasse and Nwaneri is now set to put pen to paper on a new deal.
The BBC’s Sami Mokbel revealed on Sunday that Arsenal are ‘set to make’ Nwaneri a formal offer of a new contract, suggesting there is now a ‘will from all parties to reach an agreement’.
Football Transfers further reported that ‘an official announcement confirming his commitment to Arsenal is expected very soon.’
Why Arsenal needed to tie down Ethan Nwaneri
It’s safe to say that Nwaneri is a generational talent. Yes, we know that term gets thrown out more regularly than it should, but it’s the correct phrase to attribute to this young Arsenal star.
Officially the youngest player to ever feature in a Premier League game when handed his debut at the age of just 15, it’s been a slow road to regular action since then.
#1 Ethan Nwaneri
15 years, 5 months, 28 days
#2 Jack Porter
16 years, 2 months, 10 days
#3 Cesc Fabregas
16 years, 5 months, 24 days
#4 Jack Wilshere
16 years, 8 months, 12 days
#5 Jermaine Pennant
16 years, 10 months, 15 days
#6 Paul Vaessen
16 years, 11 months, 11 days
#7 Ryan Smith
16 years, 11 months, 18 days
#8 Gedion Zelalem
16 years, 11 months, 29 days
#9 Armand Traore
17 years, 16 days
That’s understandable given his age, but in 2024/25, he became a key part of this Arsenal team, scoring nine goals in all competitions across 37 outings and being rightfully nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award alongside teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly.
He’s one of the best young talents in European football. Only two players 18 or younger, Assane Diao and Lamine Yamal (both 9), scored more than Nwaneri’s four in Europe’s top five leagues last term, rubberstamping his early credentials.
His record so far and indeed his performances, have attracted widespread acclaim.
Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue reckons the teen “can be better than Yamal” in the future, while Joe Cole has suggested that the way he dribbles in and around the penalty area is “like Messi”.
Further celebrated by scout Jacek Kulig as “one of Hale End & England’s biggest jewels”, there are very few young players in the country bursting with as much potential as this kid.
Gyokeres will no doubt attract most of the hype this week but if a deal for Nwaneri also gets announced, don’t underestimate the importance.
With Chelsea circling for Arsenal’s best young talent, getting him tied down as soon as possible will be one of the best bits of business the club secures all summer. It won’t be long before the 18-year-old is starting week in, week out. Arsenal fans be excited.
Zubi will love him: Arsenal have agreement to sign £17m star after Gyokeres
Arsenal’s busy summer window now appears in full swing after Martin Zubimendi’s arrival.
ByEthan LambJul 13, 2025
