Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez ahead of the 2026/27 season. The Gunners recently ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, having finished second in three consecutive seasons under Arteta. However, their campaign ended on a sour note after losing 4-3 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Richards Highlights Need for Attacking Depth
Richards, who won multiple titles with Manchester City, believes Arsenal require greater attacking depth and a high-quality forward capable of making an impact from the bench. He praised Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres for their performances in the recently concluded season but stressed that adding a player of Alvarez's caliber would further strengthen the squad. Speaking to UK Metro, Richards said: 'I think they need another striker. Kai Havertz is outstanding in terms of technical ability and Viktor Gyokeres has done well in his first season. But if they could get someone like Julian Alvarez, that would just give Arsenal something different.'
Alvarez's Credentials and Transfer Value
Julian Alvarez, who won two Premier League titles with Manchester City before moving to Atletico Madrid, is valued at around 150 million euros (£120 million). The Argentine striker has also won the World Cup with his national team. Atletico Madrid are aware of interest from La Liga champions Barcelona, making any potential deal competitive. Richards emphasized that Arsenal should act swiftly to secure his services.
Additional Transfer Recommendations
Richards also urged Arsenal to target a left-winger and a centre midfielder before the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season. He noted that Christian Norgaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly have not fully complemented Martin Zubimendi in midfield. 'Bringing in Christian Norgaard has worked to a certain degree in terms of his temperament and Myles Lewis-Skelly has shown he can definitely do a job in there. But to get the best out of someone like Zubimendi you need to be a little bit higher so he can get on the ball and dictate the game from there,' Richards explained. 'If they get that, a new striker and another winger they can compete for the next two, three, four years now – that’s how good I think they can be.'
Arsenal's Recent Signings from Chelsea
In related news, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed why the club continues to sign players from rivals Chelsea. The Gunners have completed the signings of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and winger Noni Madueke for a combined £57 million in the current summer transfer window, marking their sixth acquisition from Chelsea under Arteta's tenure.
