Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to address transfer rumors linking the Gunners to this summer’s signing of Atletico Madrid striker Julián Alvarez, despite comments from manager Diego Simeone. The Argentine forward is valued at more than £120m by Atletico and the former Manchester City forward boasts an outstanding goalscoring record.
Atletico Madrid manager Simeone confirmed there had been interest from the Gunners and was asked if he was concerned about Alvarez’s future at the club. “I don’t have Julian Alvarez in mind. I think that’s normal. He’s an extraordinary player. There’s interest from Arsenal, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and other teams, but there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.
“You know I don’t talk about it and I should never talk about players who aren’t our players,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal invested heavily in Swedish striker Viktor Gökeres during the summer transfer window, and he has scored 18 goals in 48 appearances since joining for £55 million (excluding add-ons).
Despite this, Gokeres has not scored in his last four Champions League appearances, with his most recent goal in the competition coming back in January.
His most recent league goal for Arsenal came in a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month. As Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal become clearer, speculation surrounding Alvarez intensifies as the transfer window approaches.
When asked about his side’s attacking difficulties, the Gunners manager said: “We have to try harder. The moment we obviously got the shot, it was a great example against Newcastle of what happens (when you take a shot).”
“We want to grow in all departments, but as we sit here tonight you have to be an exceptional team or one of the top four teams in Europe to get here. So imagine how difficult that is.”
