Over the last few seasons, much has been made of Arsenal’s inability to strengthen their forward line.
Indeed, it’s rather well documented that the only out-and-out striker Mikel Arteta has bought to the Emirates Stadium since becoming manager is Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian now sits on the treatment table with a long-term ACL injury and is joined by Kai Havertz. With Eddie Nketiah sold last summer, it means that Arsenal don’t have a centre-forward available to them.
Mikel Merino has done a sterling job in that role, scoring six times in ten games as a striker, but signing a new attacker in the summer is of utmost importance for new sporting director, Andrea Berta.
However, he must not neglect other areas as he aims to help build a title-winning squad alongside Arteta.
Where Arsenal could strengthen this summer
While fans expect that a new striker will sign on the dotted line in a few months’ time, there is also optimism about improving their midfield ranks.
Indeed, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both set to leave upon the expiry of their contracts at the Emirates Stadium, there is now reportedly an expectation that Martin Zubimendi will be arriving in a possible £51m deal from Real Sociedad.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, the Gunners may look at bolstering their defensive line again. That’s despite the additions of Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori in the last two windows and the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
One addition could be Barcelona’s Jules Kounde with reports from Spain on Monday noting that ‘two European giants have offered €75m (£64m)’ to prise him away from LaLiga.
Indeed, it’s stated that both teams are willing to put a big amount on the table and with Barca’s financial situation still unstable, they would likely be willing to cash in on the Frenchman.
What Jules Kounde would bring to Arsenal
More defenders, Mikel? More? Are you sure? Well, it may not be the worst idea this summer if Arsenal have a big transfer kitty to splurge.
Of course, the priority must be giving Arteta more in attack but they could find themselves short in the defensive department too.
That’s because Takehiro Tomiyasu continues to be plagued by injury, Kieran Tierney is departing at the end of his contract and Oleksandr Zinchenko has been linked with a move away.
Jakub Kiwior is reportedly also attracting interest from Crystal Palace and Lewis-Skelly’s future is seen in midfield.
So, believe it or not, there would be an opening for another defender if all of Tierney, Zinchenko and Kiwior departed Colney in the summer.
Kounde, described as “one of the best defenders in the world” by his former coach Xavi, would certainly tick a lot of boxes.
Arteta loves his defenders to be versatile and in the French star, he’d be getting just that. Kounde broke through as a centre-back but at Camp Nou has become more of a right-back, featuring in that position in all 49 of his club appearances this season.
In that regard, he’s a lot like Jurrien Timber, capable of inverting but also bombing forward. Most importantly, he’s also a very good defender.
While positionally, he’s similar to the Dutchman, comparisons can also be made to the aforementioned Lewis-Skelly. So, why exactly is that?
Progressive carries
1.47
2.34
Progressive passes
5.66
4.86
Progressive actions
7.13
7.20
Pass success %
87%
90%
Key passes
1.11
0.47
Passes into final 3rd
5.23
4.77
Shot-creating actions
1.97
1.69
Tackles won
1.51
1.31
While Kounde is a more polished physical player, the key similarity between the two is how progressive they are from their full-back berths, albeit on opposite sides of the pitch.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
They love to get involved in all phases of play, whether it be breaking up an opposition attack or getting forward themselves, notably registering a similar number of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes in 2024/25.
As seen in the clip below, the piece of play is very Lewis-Skelly-like, tickling the ball past a player and creating a goal-scoring opportunity inside the box.
While the Barcelona defender would be unlikely to play in midfield, as far as full-backs go, they share similar traits.
It’s safe to say Timber would not be dislodged from his right-back spot in a hurry, but having another progressive option in a similar mould to both him and Lewis-Skelly is something Arteta is unlikely to turn down if the opportunity presents itself.
Amazing Kiwior replacement: Arsenal sold Hale End's next best gem for £1.5m
With Jakub Kiwior currently deputising for the injured Gabriel, do Arsenal rue selling their “extremely talented” young centre-back for just £1.5m?
1 ByBen GrayApr 14, 2025
