Guardiola doesn't want him, Arteta does: Arsenal will explore signing Álvarez this summer.

All eight matches of the Champions League quarter-finals first leg have concluded, with Premier League teams failing to secure any wins. Manchester City, Tottenham, and Chelsea each suffered heavy defeats by three goals. Atlético Madrid beat Tottenham 5-2, with Álvarez scoring twice and providing one assist, creating three goals alone, earning a perfect 10/10 rating post-match; Manchester City lost 0-3 to Real Madrid, with Haaland recording zero stats—no shots, no successful dribbles, no successful aerial duels—receiving a 6.1 rating afterwards. It could be said that Guardiola's reliance on Haaland and the sale of Álvarez marked the beginning of Manchester City's offensive decline; after last season, the club may frequently face seasons without major trophies. Arsenal drew 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen, with Saka appearing almost absent; Arteta has realized that to build a genuine championship-winning team, Arsenal must either strengthen its attacking power and views Álvarez as the primary target for enhancing the forward line.

According to recent reports from British media outlet Mirror, Arsenal are highly interested in Atlético Madrid's 26-year-old Argentine key forward Álvarez, who is also Barcelona's top target for forward reinforcement. Álvarez hinted at a potential transfer after Atlético's 5-2 victory over Tottenham, as Atlético struggles to compete for major titles like La Liga and the Champions League. If Arsenal win the Premier League this season, Arteta will have greater authority in the summer transfer window to sign desired players, specifically Álvarez, who possesses abilities in passing, shooting, ball progression, and long-range shooting to break down defensive setups. Arsenal will explore the possibility of Álvarez joining this summer.

Álvarez is a super forward valued at €100 million, a key striker for Argentina's national team heading into the 2026 World Cup, at his prime at 26 years old, with a contract at Atlético until 2030. This season he has 16 goals and 8 assists in 44 matches across all competitions; last season he recorded 29 goals and 7 assists in 54 matches, demonstrating consistent output. His free-kick and long-range shooting skills are excellent, fitting Arteta's tactical needs perfectly. Álvarez enjoys passing and can create more opportunities for teammates like Jokeres; overall, he is more effective and reliable than Saka.