Arsenal Transfer News: Rogers? Alvarez? How do The Gunners Build on Premier League Title Success?

Arsenal enjoyed a season to remember as they were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in over 20 years. While they failed to go the distance in the Champions League, it was a campaign that’ll live long in the memory of supporters.

Importantly, though, is that Arsenal do not simply rest on their laurels. They need to build upon their success to ensure they remain competitive for the coming campaign. To quote Declan Rice at their trophy parade on Sunday: “Lock in or get locked out.”

And the Gunners need to lock in to strengthen the squad as they aim to go one better in Europe and successfully defend their Premier League crown.

“We'll start to make some very important decisions, we want to reach another level,” head coach Mikel Arteta said of the squad.

“We're going to have to show that ambition because they are more than capable of doing it but it's going to demand us to be very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”

Left wing investment required

The key area in need of investment is the left wing. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have shared the responsibility down this side across the last two years. They’ve been good. Arsenal can do better.

It’s why links with a move for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers make sense. The England international only penned a new deal at Villa Park last November but is set to be at the centre of a transfer scramble this summer.

Arsenal aren’t the only side said to be monitoring Rogers. Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in the former Middlesbrough man. The Gunners, though, are believed to be at the front of the queue in the race for the 23-year-old.

To some, Rogers is better in the number 10 role. It’s one currently occupied by captain Martin Odegaard, with Eberechi Eze providing competition for the Norwegian in attack. However, Arteta wants his wingers to cut inside from their respective flanks. Bukayo Saka does so impressively from the right.

After all, 42% of their attacks came down this side last season, the second highest proportion in the Premier League. Arteta will want a similar level of impact from the left. Indeed, just 32% of the champions’ attacks came down the left flank, the joint-lowest proportion.

While it didn’t hinder Arsenal in their title triumph, the lack of variety in their attacking play could come back to haunt them in their bid to defend their crown. Rogers would bring some much-needed unpredictability to Arsenal’s left side, evident in that he completed 42 dribbles in the Premier League last season.

He may not have been successful with every take on attempt - 87 unsuccessful dribbles was top - he at least did all he could to make something happen. By comparison, the Arsenal player that completed the most dribbles was Bukayo Saka (50). Second was Noni Madueke (29). Trossard and Martinelli completed just 47 between them.

When Arsenal’s attack becomes stagnant, as we saw in their home loss to Bournemouth, they need a player of Rogers’ calibre to punch a hole in the backline, and he’s proven time and time again how effective a role he can play on the Villa frontline. 10 league goals, after all, would have been second for Arsenal last season. No player for the north London side registered more assists (6).

Strengthening the frontline

And the left wing isn’t the only position in attack where Arsenal can upgrade. They remain in the market for a new striker. Viktor Gyokeres only joined from Sporting CP last summer, and for all intents and purposes, performed admirably. The Swede scored 14 league goals and struck a further five times in the Champions League.

However his Champions League cameo appearance left little to the imagination. Gyokeres looked sluggish and clumsy. Conversely, the Sweden international brings an 18-yard box presence the club lacked last season. This is the drawback that comes with fielding Kai Havertz in attack.

The German is a handy link-up man. Yet when he starts, there is a greater reliance on the wingers to provide the goal threat. If marked out of the game, then Arsenal attacks break down.

It’s why the Champions League runners up are looking to add another frontman who can perform both roles. Julian Alvarez is one striker on Arsenal’s radar, though Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both interested in the Argentine.

Additionally, Atletico Madrid will demand a hefty fee to cash in on the former Manchester City man. While Arsenal do have the resources to fund a move for Alvarez, they’ll need to be wary about being drawn into a bidding war with both Barcelona and PSG.

Saying that, Alvarez isn’t the only forward Arsenal have been monitoring. Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi would be a cost-effective option for the Gunners, with scope for development.

Kroupi enjoyed a stunning debut season with the Cherries, scoring 13 goals. While he failed to provide an assist, it wasn’t for want of trying having created 1.2 chances per 90 in the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Not only did the 19-year-old adjust to a new league with relative ease, he also exceeded expectations in the way with which he hit the back of the net. Indeed, an xG overperformance of 4.63 was higher than any other player in England’s top tier last term. He scored the goals he shouldn’t have done.

While it’s not a sustainable route to goal, the teenage Frenchman brought that bit of magic that benefitted Bournemouth. Now, Arsenal are exploring whether to add this element to their attack.

Admittedly it’s unfair to judge a striker on just one season, and Gyokeres improved as the campaign wore on. Yet the Swede turns 28 this month. Gabriel Jesus is set to leave, meaning Arsenal need to add another striker to provide cover and elevate the competition within the squad.

The Gunners are expected to undergo another summer splurge, with Rogers and one of Alvarez or Kroupi set to be at the forefront as Arsenal look to build upon their successful season.