Arsenal want to make a push for the league title next season. Summer reinforcements will be needed for that. One of the names on the list in London: Rodrygo.
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Arsenal are aiming to make a serious push for major silverware next season, and summer reinforcements will be key to achieving that goal.
After narrowly missing out on the Premier League title again, the North London club is determined to close the gap and finally lift a major trophy under Mikel Arteta’s leadership. The ambitions are clear: Arsenal want to compete not only domestically, but also be a serious contender in Europe.
One of the high-profile names reportedly on their radar is Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. The Brazilian international has been instrumental for Los Blancos over the past seasons, but with the Spanish giants heavily linked to Kylian Mbappé and Endrick joining the senior squad, his future at the Bernabéu is uncertain. Arsenal could be looking to capitalize on that situation, with reports suggesting that they see Rodrygo as a player who can bring world-class quality and versatility to their front line.
Ahead of the clash with Southampton on Sunday, May 25 at 17:00 their final Premier League fixture of the season Mikel Arteta addressed the media and emphasized the importance of being proactive in the transfer market.
"If you want to win big trophies, you have to be the best in the market, right? The teams that win always have the best players, always at this level," said the Spanish manager, making it clear that strengthening the squad is a top priority.
Arteta also took a moment to reflect on Arsenal’s development over recent years.
"I think the most important thing is that we’ve brought the club to a position where we can say next season: ‘You have to win a major trophy.’ That means everyone believes we now have the consistency and are an elite team in England and Europe."
Despite a highly competitive campaign, Arsenal’s shortcomings in front of goal became evident, especially when compared to eventual champions Liverpool, who scored eighteen more goals over the course of the season. Injuries to key attackers played a significant role. For much of the second half of the campaign, Arteta was forced to improvise without a natural number nine, as Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and even Leandro Trossard faced fitness issues. The lack of cutting edge in critical moments proved costly, both in the Premier League and in Europe.
To address this, Arsenal are expected to prioritize attacking reinforcements this summer. In addition to Rodrygo, The Standard reports that a traditional striker is also high on the club’s wishlist. One of the names being strongly linked is Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP. The Swedish striker has been in sensational form in the Portuguese league, scoring goals at an impressive rate and attracting interest from several top European clubs. His physical presence, finishing ability, and high work rate make him an ideal profile for the Premier League, and he could bring the firepower Arsenal lacked during key phases of the season.
The summer transfer window promises to be a decisive one for the Gunners. With Champions League football secured once again, and a young, talented squad already in place, Arsenal believe they are close to something special. The next step, according to Arteta, is clear: bring in elite players who can turn promise into trophies.
The upcoming fixture against Southampton will not only mark the end of the 2024/25 league campaign but could also serve as a symbolic turning point. A strong finish, combined with a productive summer in the transfer market, might finally see Arsenal return to the top of English football not just as challengers, but as champions.
Updated: 03:47, 22 May 2025
