Arsenal Must Move Fast for Alvarez Before Barcelona Swoop, Says Parlour

Arsenal have been told to make their move for Julian Alvarez this summer before Barcelona beat them to the punch for the former Manchester City man.

With a well-stocked squad already in place, Mikel Arteta's tinkering in the transfer market this off-season looks set to focus on the forward line. Viktor Gyokeres arrived last summer as the answer to Arsenal's striking woes, though his opening campaign has delivered mixed returns at the Emirates.

Currently occupying third fiddle behind Gyokeres are Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, and one of them could make way for Alvarez's arrival come summer.

Since swapping the Etihad for Atletico Madrid, Alvarez has elevated his game considerably and finds himself courted by both the Gunners and the Catalan giants. Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has thrown his weight behind the pursuit, while simultaneously flagging that Jesus could be heading for the exit door.

"I think Jesus might leave at the end of the season, he is at that age where he wants to be playing week in, week out," Parlour told Metro via BetMGM. "We could lose him. We had four strikers when I played. That's what I don't understand. (Regardless of Jesus leaving), bring in another one anyway. That can give the other options a lift because they see the standard being set."

Parlour reckons Alvarez ticks all the boxes. "For me, Alvarez would be a great addition to the squad. There will always be people coming and going in the summer because it's a big squad and they can't keep everyone happy. But Alvarez would be a fantastic option to have with his pace and what we saw at Man City."

The former City star showed glimpses of his quality during his time in Manchester, though opportunities were inevitably limited playing alongside Erling Haaland. "It was always going to be difficult for him playing with Erling Haaland there but when he did start and when he did play, he was always lively," Parlour explained. "He's a young man too, so if he's available it's a yes for me. We know how Arteta likes to work with young players to make them better so I think it would be a great addition, definitely."

On a more encouraging note for Arsenal fans, Parlour has been impressed by signs of life from Gyokeres. The Swedish striker bagged a brace in Sunday's commanding 4-1 demolition of Spurs, and Parlour believes Arteta was right to persist with his summer signing.

"That was the best game I have seen him have in an Arsenal shirt," Parlour said of Gyokeres' display. "Not just his goals but his all-round play. He was in the right areas a lot more; sometimes he hasn't made the runs that strikers do. Maybe that was confidence or still getting to know the players around him and when the ball is going into the box. But I think he played on people's shoulder a lot better."

However, one swallow doesn't make a summer. "He was excellent at the weekend but it is no use doing that one game in five, you have to do it on a regular basis," Parlour cautioned. "That's probably the weakest area Arsenal have got. The full-backs are strong, the centre-halves are strong, midfield is strong, there are options in wide areas."

If Gyokeres can replicate that performance with consistency, though, Arsenal's title credentials will receive a significant boost. "But if Gyokeres can start really playing like that week in, week out, and contribute like that, I think Arsenal will have a better chance of winning the league," Parlour concluded.