Arsenal accused of ‘ignorance’ after update on Zubimendi, Gyokeres and Nico Williams
Arsenal are said to be planning an audacious triple swoop for Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Nico Williams, leaving Troy Deeney “shocked” at the prospect.
Zubimendi rejected the chance to join Liverpool in the summer, but the 26-year-old is now wanted by Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta looks to reunite the midfielder with his former teammate, Mikel Merino.
Williams has been a longstanding target for Arsenal, with the Gunners leapfrogging Real Madrid in the race for the 22-year-old, Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively.
Meanwhile, Arsenal also look to have stolen a march on Man United in the race to sign Gyokeres from Sporting CP in Portugal.
Whilst the Gunners and their fans would likely love to see all three players join this summer, there has been an understanding for some time that recruiting a striker should be the main aim this coming transfer window.
Arsenal make Martin Zubimendi ‘top priority’ this summer
However, according to a report from The Sun, Arsenal’s top priority this summer is to sign a top-level central midfielder and they are confident in bringing in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
The Gunners are also keen on adding Nico Williams from Athletic Club and Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
When speaking about the report, Deeney claimed he would be “shocked” if the Gunners were able to sign all three, saying on talkSPORT (6.26am, 7 April):
“The obvious thing that everyone can see is they need a centre-forward, so to me, it’s a big headline, if they can get both. I would be shocked because it would be very expensive.
“The key part there is they want a classy centre-midfielder, it’s what they’ve done, Arteta and Arsenal don’t like to spend money on centre-forward players. It seems to me now that if they don’t get a striker, it’s ignorance now.”
Deeney then continued: “We’ve been saying this for what, two years now? Nearly three years?
“So, if they’re saying their target is Zubimendi, the midfielder from Sociedad, he’s another one of those Arsenal players that just gets it, gives it, gets it, gives it, [Deeney then lets out an exasperated sigh].”
Mikel Arteta’s faith in current Arsenal strikers may cost him his job
Football Insider Verdict
Arsenal are on course to finish second in the Premier League for a third consecutive season.
Whilst their turnaround under Arteta has done wonders for the club, the next step necessary for the club to continue progressing, rather than hitting a point of stagnation, is to either win a Premier League title, or the Champions League. Or both.
However, in their most recent match against Everton, the Gunners looked a far cry from a side being capable of winning either.
| 2024/25 League stats | Gyokeres |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Starts | 24 |
| Goals | 30 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Minutes | 2,174 |
Leandro Trossard found the back of the net, but between himself and Raheem Sterling, Arsenal looked limp in attack as they struggled to a 1-1 draw.
Whilst neither are going to be starters for the Gunners next season, barring another injury crisis, their inadequacies, combined with Kai Havertz‘s lack of goals in general, highlight the need for a new striker.
Should Arsenal fail to sign a player who can consistently score goals, they are destined to be perennial bridesmaids, and Arteta runs the risk of the North London club looking to find a manager who can build a squad that will deliver the honours the fans do desperately crave.