With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined, Arsenal is facing setbacks as the season approaches its pivotal point.
Mikel Arteta might have to look at former players like Carlos Vela and Lucas Perez when searching the free agent market for attacking reinforcements.
Arsenal may need to make the difficult choice to sign troubled players like Diego Costa in order to strengthen their forward line as they contend for the championship.
Tragic events have occurred as Arsenal’s season approaches its most pivotal point. Mikel Arteta is in a high-stakes chess match, but he is without two of his most prized pieces since Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both sidelined for the rest of the campaign. The Gunners have battled valiantly to stay ahead in the very competitive title race, but their striking depth—or lack thereof—may backfire.
Enter the football world’s bargain bin, where free agents are like forgotten artifacts at a thrift store. Although it appears that Arsenal urgently needs reinforcements, if its supporters are being honest, the possibilities aren’t exactly exciting. Consider it similar to searching the reduced section of your neighborhood grocery store: you may find something helpful, but it’s most likely out of date or not exactly what you were looking for.
However, desperate times necessitate desperate actions, and Arteta might be forced to take a chance as the Premier League marathon nears its finish line. Once shining brightly in Europe’s top leagues, several of these free agents now look like faded stars clinging to a final chance at redemption. Who, therefore, might Arsenal actually sign for nothing? As the Gunners attempt to push Liverpool to the limit, we’ve compiled a list of seven names who could fill the void—not with a roar, but maybe with a quiet, grudging sigh.
7Lucas Perez
Last club: Deportivo La Coruna
Surely Mikel Arteta wouldn’t? Between 2016 and 2018, the Spanish forward had a miserable stint at Arsenal, making just 11 appearances and scoring one goal, solidifying his status as one of the team’s worst transfer busts in recent history. Beyond his tenure at the Emirates, though, Lucas Perez has proven to be a dependable offensive player who can both create and score goals.
In 172 games at his most recent club, Deportivo La Coruna, the 36-year-old has scored 62 goals and provided 53 assists. It is nearly difficult to return to north London, but for football romantics, there is no greater tale than Perez defying expectations and helping Arsenal win their first league title in more than 20 years, only a few years after departing the capital with nothing but regret.
The Career of Lucas Perez
Famous clubs
Karpaty Lviv, Alaves, Deportivo La Coruna, Rayo Vallecano, Elche, West Ham, Arsenal, Cadiz, PAOK,
Games
457
Objectives
133
Helps
94
6Mariano Diaz
Last club: Sevilla
Even though Mariano Diaz only scored six La Liga goals in three seasons, his strong resume is what really makes him appealing. Legends like Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo shared the dressing room with the former Dominican Republic international, who played more than 80 games for Real Madrid.
He might be the calm, collected presence that Arsenal’s youthful and a little disorganized attacking line needs. Any established center-forward is a great addition at this point, and it’s uncommon to find one with three Champions League titles available for free. However, those accolades may need to be seen with caution.
Diaz Mariano’s Career
Famous clubs
Real Madrid, Lyon, and Sevilla
Games
238
Objectives
84
Helps
13.
5 Carlos Vela’s last team: LAFC
Another player who battled for playing time while at Arsenal was Carlos Vela. He only made 29 appearances in the renowned red shirt during his seven years with the team, which began in 2005 after the Gunners emerged victorious in a transfer battle among Europe’s top teams. He was usually a supporting player and was regularly loaned to teams like Osasuna, West Brom, and Celta Vigo.
But it was at LAFC that the Mexican winger really took off, becoming one of the best in MLS. With 78 goals in 152 appearances, he solidified his place among the league’s greatest players, trailing only Lionel Messi. He was a dynamic and diligent wideman. Vela, who is now a free agent, would undoubtedly welcome the opportunity to assist Arsenal in realizing their goals and adding to their collection of trophies, which already includes two Supporters’ Shields, an MLS Cup, and an MVP award.
The Career of Carlos Vela
Famous clubs
Real Sociedad, LAFC, Arsenal, Osasuna, and West Brom
Games
576
Objectives
191
Helps
110
4Gyasi Zardes
Last club: Austin FC
Many thought Gyasi Zardes would help guide the United States into a golden age of football after he emerged from the LA Galaxy academy in 2011. The fast Californian native has had a fairly respectable career since, even though this never materialized. The 33-year-old scored 114 goals in 347 MLS games while playing for teams like the Columbus Crew and the Galaxy.
Zardes, who is also of Ghanaian heritage, should still have plenty of energy left to improve the chances of another team because he is still a reasonably good age in relation to the other free agents on the market. Is Arsenal the appropriate choice? That would be due to the club’s extreme desperation to obtain trophies by any means necessary.
The Career of Gyasi Zardes
Famous clubs
Columbus Crew, Austin FC, Colorado Rapids, and LA Galaxy
Games
372
Objectives
122
Helps
37
3 Kemar Roofe’s previous team: Rangers
Kemar Roofe, who was a standout player for Oxford United and Leeds United in the mid-to-late 2010s, is no stranger to the physical demands of English football. His playing style may determine whether he is a true fit for Mikel Arteta’s system, but the recently released Rangers forward plays more like an attacking midfielder, moving freely across the pitch instead of staying on the shoulder of defenders. This could help integrate Ethan Nwaneri into the attack alongside Arteta’s other preferred winger, but the Spaniard would probably prefer a more conventional, poacher-like goalscorer to go along with Martin Odegaard and similar players.
Arsenal takes pride in the fact that they may be the most despised team in the Premier League right now thanks to Mikel Arteta’s combination of tough tackling and calculated time-wasting. Perhaps the only thing lacking is a vicious forward to spearhead Chelsea’s offensive strategy. Diego Costa, who was every defender’s nightmare from 2014 to 2017, scored 52 goals in 89 games and helped Chelsea accomplish something Arsenal hasn’t done in over 20 years—win the Premier League. However, at 36, his best days are behind him, as evidenced by his recent stint at Wolves, where he only scored once.
Maxi Gomez, a Uruguayan international, isn’t quite ready to retire at the age of 28, having played in over 130 goals throughout stints at Valencia, Celta Vigo, Cadiz, and Trabzonspor. A transfer to Arsenal might be advantageous for both parties.
Despite vying for spots with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, Gomez has four goals in 32 international caps, demonstrating his ability to score goals while playing as an underdog. However, even if it’s only a temporary fix, Arsenal needs someone who can step up when things get tough.
The Career of Maxi Gomez
Famous clubs
Trabzonspor, Cadiz, Valencia, and Celta Vigo
Games
304
Objectives
89
Helps
39
