Berta now pushing hard to sign £128m “monster” for Arsenal, he’d be far better than Rogers…

Berta is now making a strong push to secure a £128m “monster” for Arsenal, who would undoubtedly be a superior option compared to Rogers – opinion

Reasons behind Arsenal’s determined pursuit of a £128m star after losing out on Rogers

The 2025/26 season is firmly etched in the memories of Arsenal supporters, marking the year when Mikel Arteta restored the club to the pinnacle of English football.

The Premier League champions united impressively last year, functioning as a cohesive unit. In many respects, they exceeded the sum of their individual talents, as Arteta successfully built and maintained a world-class team despite lacking elite attacking prowess.

Injuries played a role, but the Spanish manager’s forwards occasionally faltered throughout the season. While acquiring a striker seemed the most logical solution, attention also turned to finalizing a deal for Aston Villa’s attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers until Chelsea swooped in with a staggering £117m offer.

Why Morgan Rogers could have enhanced Arsenal’s attack

Rogers faced disappointment with England at the 2026 World Cup, yet he can take pride in his commendable performance during the tournament. This positions him well for a potential move to a larger club in the Premier League.

The Emirates club had reached an agreement on personal terms with the player but hesitated to match Chelsea’s offer. It’s unfortunate, considering the impact he could have had on the team.

Rogers is a game-changer, having netted 31 goals and provided 29 assists in 125 appearances for Unai Emery’s side. His manager described him as a “leader in the dressing room,” suggesting he would have seamlessly integrated into the culture Arteta has cultivated in north London.

At times, the attack may have felt somewhat stagnant. On the right flank, Bukayo Saka struggled with fitness throughout the year, while Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Eberechi Eze experienced inconsistent performances on the opposite side, with none of the forwards averaging more than 0.9 dribbles per Premier League match.

Rogers would have brought additional momentum and vigor, with these qualities providing a lethal attacking advantage that Arsenal sometimes lacked last season.

As a superstar, his acquisition would have made a significant statement for the Premier League champions. Now, Andrea Berta and his transfer team must reassess their strategy.

Arsenal could potentially secure an even more advantageous signing than Rogers.

It’s important to note that Arsenal has also finalized a £35m agreement with Club Brugge to acquire Christos Tzolis this summer, effectively filling the void left by Trossard with the prolific left winger.

However, with Gabriel Jesus’ future in north London uncertain, Arteta may seek a complementary player to compete with Viktor Gyokeres for the No. 9 position. In this context, Julian Alvarez at Atletico Madrid is one to watch closely.

Reports from Spain indicate that Arsenal is prepared to make a significant effort to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez this summer, with technical director Andrea Berta actively working to persuade him to make the move.

Atletico is firm in their stance that they will not sell the Argentine international this summer for less than their €150m (£128m) asking price. However, Arsenal might present an appealing option to sell him to an overseas club rather than to rivals Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Pablo Gonzalez, an Argentine reporter, has referred to him as a “monster” in front of goal. The 26-year-old has proven to be a genuine success for Atletico, netting 49 goals and providing 17 assists in 106 appearances since his £81m transfer from Manchester City. Ultimately, his track record suggests he would be a more valuable signing than Rogers.

There have been questions about whether Rogers was the right solution for Arsenal’s attacking issues. Although he scored 14 goals last season, his consistency remains in question. In contrast, Alvarez is anything but predictable; he represents the transformative addition the Gunners need to elevate their performance.

Rogers is capable of playing in various positions on the pitch, and similarly, versatility is one of Alvarez’s key strengths. However, it is evident that under Diego Simeone, he has been refined into a dedicated goalscorer, maintaining his broader skill set but exhibiting less positional flexibility compared to his time at Man City. This is where the distinction from Rogers arises.

A player with such dynamic attacking abilities would be an ideal solution to compensate for the disappointment of not acquiring the Villa player. Alvarez netted 20 goals last season and 29 the season before that. Arsenal has long desired an attacker of this caliber, and they may finally be on the verge of securing what they need.

He is not merely a goal scorer; he is also a playmaker. Last season in La Liga, Alvarez created ten significant chances, and although he scored only eight times in 22 starts, he also missed just eight big opportunities, highlighting his precision in front of goal.

With title-winning experience in the Premier League, Alvarez has continued to improve on a personal level since his transfer to the Spanish capital. He would undoubtedly enhance Arsenal’s attacking lineup.