After the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the Premier League title on the final weekend of last season, Arsenal went into this summer’s transfer market with a clear mission: to build a squad capable of claiming the championship.
The North London club spent over £100 million, acquiring Riccardo Calafiori, David Raya, and Mikel Merino on permanent deals. A late addition came in the form of Raheem Sterling, who joined on loan from Chelsea during deadline day.
While these arrivals significantly strengthened Mikel Arteta’s squad, which had already impressed last season, there were murmurs of surprise from fans and pundits alike regarding one notable omission. Arsenal did not add a new striker to their ranks, despite their well-documented struggles in front of goal from the centre-forward position in the previous campaign.
Gabriel Jesus, the team’s main forward last season, struggled with injuries, and his goal tally of 11 from 26 Premier League appearances left some questioning whether Arsenal have enough firepower to challenge Manchester City for the title this term.
However, reports from Italian outlet
TuttoJuve suggest that Arsenal could be addressing this issue in the next transfer window. According to the report, Arsenal are now favourites to land Jonathan David, the Lille striker who is entering the final year of his contract. With no resolution in sight in his ongoing contract negotiations, David, 24, is poised to become a free agent next summer, which has sparked interest from several top clubs.
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Juventus have all been linked to the Canadian forward. However, Arsenal’s financial position puts them in the driver’s seat. David is reportedly seeking a salary of over €6 million per season, a demand that Juventus are struggling to meet, but which Arsenal are believed to be able to accommodate comfortably.
David’s potential availability next summer add intrigue to his future, especially as he could sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club as early as January. Lille now face a race against time to either agree on a new deal or risk losing one of their star players for free. Last season, the former Gent player netted 19 goals in Ligue 1, reinforcing his status as one of Europe’s most promising forwards.
For Arsenal, the attraction of signing a prolific goalscorer like David is clear. Despite strengthening their midfield with the arrival of Merino and adding depth to their defense with Calafiori, the lack of a clinical striker could still prove costly in a title race where every goal matters. David’s pace, physicality, and versatility—able to play across the front line—make him an ideal fit for Arteta’s high-pressing, dynamic style of play.
David himself has expressed a willingness to move to the Premier League. Speaking in an interview, the Canadian international said, “I’m open to anything. I think obviously the Premier League is regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. And for me, it’s not the Premier League or bust. I’m open to anything and every league has its challenges.”
Arsenal fans will be hoping that the prospect of playing in one of the world’s most competitive leagues could help sway the striker’s decision. With the club likely to face stiff competition from Manchester United and other suitors, Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy will be hoping to lay the groundwork for a deal early, ensuring they don’t miss out on a striker who could be the missing piece in their title quest.
