Arsenal’s inconsistent campaign persisted over the weekend, as Mikel Arteta’s side dropped more points with a draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening.
This result could have effectively ended their Premier League title hopes if not for Manchester United’s draw with Liverpool the following night.
While the Gunners have not been poor this season—they currently boast the league’s strongest defense—their attacking struggles have been a glaring issue that could prove costly by season’s end.
This concern seems to be shared within the club, as recent reports suggest Arsenal is pursuing an exciting striker this month, one who has drawn comparisons to the exceptional Viktor Gyökeres.
According to reports from Italy, Arsenal continues to show significant interest in Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović. Although it’s unclear whether they will make a formal bid this month, the Gunners have reportedly made several inquiries about the player in recent weeks.
While the reports don’t specify a price tag, an earlier story suggested the former Fiorentina star might be available for approximately £58m.
Although the transfer would be costly, Vlahović’s talent and Arsenal’s pressing need for attacking reinforcements make it a move worth considering, particularly given his similarities to Gyökeres.
Before delving into why Arsenal should target Vlahović, it’s worth examining the comparison to Gyökeres and its basis.
This link largely comes from FBref, which analyzes players in similar roles in this season’s Champions League. The tool ranks Gyökeres as the ninth-most comparable striker to Vlahović based on their performances.
A closer look at their underlying metrics reveals the similarities, including non-penalty expected goals, expected and actual assists, shots on target, passes into key areas, goal-creating actions, and more—all measured per 90 minutes.
| Vlahović & Gyökeres | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics per 90 | Vlahović | Gyökeres |
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals | 0.40 | 0.46 |
| Expected Assists | 0.21 | 0.26 |
| Actual Assists | 0.23 | 0.17 |
| Shots on Target | 1.36 | 1.33 |
| Passes into the Final 1/3 | 0.91 | 0.83 |
| Passes into the Penalty Area | 0.91 | 1.00 |
| Goal-Creating Actions | 0.23 | 0.17 |
So, what other compelling reasons should convince the North Londoners to invest in the 24-year-old?
Firstly, as U23 scout Antonio Mango aptly puts it, the Juventus star is a “goal machine,” precisely the kind of player Mikel Arteta needs right now.
Take last season, for instance—Vlahović scored 18 goals and delivered three assists in 38 appearances. This season, he has already amassed 12 goals and two assists in just 23 games, averaging a goal involvement every 1.80 and 1.64 games, respectively.
Additionally, the “world-class” striker, as journalist Siavoush Fallahi describes him, boasts remarkable underlying statistics. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 4% of strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful penalties, the top 10% for expected goals, and the top 11% for shots per 90 minutes, among other key metrics.
While Arsenal’s attacking lineup includes highly talented players, they still lack that extra edge—something Vlahović could undoubtedly provide.
Therefore, Arteta and his team must make every effort to bring the Serbian international to the Emirates this month, as their season could hinge on this acquisition.
