Mikel Arteta receives fresh warning amid new hint that Arsenal’s striker transfer may already be finalized

Mikel Arteta has been cautioned that he’ll have no room for excuses if Arsenal secure a new striker as anticipated this summer. The glaring issue in the Gunners’ squad this season has been the absence of a top-class centre-forward.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have both been sidelined with season-ending injuries, forcing midfielder Mikel Merino to step in as an emergency striker. This lack of a reliable goal-getter has severely hampered Arsenal’s hopes of finally ending their long wait for a Premier League title.

The North London club hasn’t lifted the league trophy since the legendary Invincibles campaign in 2003/04. That striker void is expected to be filled in the upcoming transfer window, with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres both strongly linked with a move to the Emirates.

Club legend Martin Keown believes that Arsenal may have already completed a deal for a new frontman. The former centre-back, who won three league titles during his playing days, feels confident the club’s leadership has acted early—but also warned Arteta that failure will be harder to justify if reinforcements do arrive.

“I’d be surprised if the new striker deal isn’t already three-quarters done,” Keown told TNT Sports. “It’s clearly the priority. I don’t know anything for sure, but I have a strong feeling it’s happening.”

He added, “Arteta won’t be able to say after this window, ‘Why didn’t we sign a striker?’ I’m pretty sure they will. Gyokeres scores goals, but I’m not convinced he has the pace defenders fear. Isak has that explosive speed. That’s the kind of quality they need.”

“He also mentioned Nico Williams recently—players like him, with pace and impact. It won’t just be one signing, I believe several additions are on the way.”

Keown praised Arteta’s determination: “He’s relentless in his pursuit of silverware. It might be five years in the job, but he looks fresh and hungry. He’s still just getting started.”

Despite back-to-back second-place finishes, Arsenal seem poised to end another season as runners-up, with Liverpool currently 12 points ahead.

Merino, though not a natural striker, has stepped up admirably with four league goals. However, a marquee striker signing would likely see Havertz drop to a backup role. While the German had taken over as first-choice forward, a top-tier arrival would surely take that spot—potentially giving Arteta the firepower he needs to finally clinch the title.