Arsenal's Major Concern Over £82m Target Alvarez's Form Slump
Arsenal's potential summer move for Julian Alvarez appears increasingly complicated, with the Gunners facing significant concerns over the striker's prolonged goal drought. The Atletico Madrid forward, valued at around £82 million, has seen his form dip alarmingly this season, raising serious questions about whether he represents the solution to Arsenal's attacking issues.
The Alvarez Conundrum: Price Tag Versus Performance
While Alvarez seemed an ideal target for Arsenal's forward line reinforcement, his recent performances have given the North London club pause for thought. The Argentina international, who moved from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid in 2024, enjoyed an impressive debut season in Spain with 29 goals across all competitions. However, his current campaign tells a different story, with just seven La Liga goals in 21 appearances and a concerning drought in open play.
Remarkably, Alvarez's recent record makes for grim reading. The striker has managed just one La Liga goal in his last fourteen matches, with that solitary strike coming from the penalty spot against Sevilla in early November. For his last goal from open play, one must look back to September 27th, creating genuine concern about his current effectiveness in front of goal.
Gyokeres Parallels and Premier League Adaptation
The situation bears uncomfortable parallels with Viktor Gyokeres' struggles at Arsenal. The Swedish international, signed for £64 million to solve Arsenal's long-standing striker problems, has similarly found Premier League adaptation challenging, managing just one goal from open play in his last twelve league matches. This raises legitimate questions about whether Alvarez would face similar difficulties transitioning back to English football.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo's recent comments have only added to the uncertainty surrounding Alvarez's situation. Speaking to reporters last week, Cerezo admitted: "He's going through a moment where we don't know what's happening to him." This public acknowledgement of concern from his own club's leadership represents a significant red flag for potential suitors like Arsenal.
Pedigree Versus Current Form
Despite the current concerns, Alvarez's pedigree remains unquestionable. The World Cup winner scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for Manchester City, often playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, and contributed four crucial goals to Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph. His ability to perform at the highest level has been demonstrated repeatedly throughout his career.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has remained steadfast in his support for the striker, responding forcefully to questions about Alvarez's ability: "The truth is that Julian Alvarez speaks for himself, because of the name he has, the authority he carries, and the career he's built." Simeone's defence highlights the striker's established reputation, but cannot mask the concerning statistics of his current campaign.
Strategic Considerations for Arsenal
Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta, who oversaw Alvarez's move to Atletico Madrid, will play a crucial role in any potential negotiations. The club must weigh several factors:
- The substantial financial investment required, estimated at over £82 million
- Alvarez's proven track record at the highest level versus his current form slump
- The parallel struggles of current signing Viktor Gyokeres in adapting to Premier League demands
- Whether Alvarez represents a genuine upgrade on existing options
- The psychological impact of Atletico's public concerns about their striker
While Alvarez's Champions League form has offered some respite, with four goals in six appearances this season, his overall contribution has diminished significantly since the autumn. The striker's last goal in any competition came in the Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven on December 9th, extending his drought across all competitions.
The fundamental question facing Arsenal is whether Alvarez's current struggles represent a temporary dip or a more concerning trend. With Gyokeres' difficult adaptation demonstrating that there are no guarantees when addressing attacking deficiencies, the Gunners must proceed with caution despite the obvious appeal of a player with Alvarez's pedigree and proven Premier League experience.
