Arsenal icon has already sweet-talked Man City star as huge deal 'collapses'

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has previously drawn parallels between Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and Dennis Bergkamp, as Mikel Arteta’s squad search for a new striker. With the Gunners eyeing up potential attacking reinforcements, Alvarez has recently been linked with a departure from the Etihad Stadium.

Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig was formerly on the wishlist for Arsenal’s summer transfer window. However, hopes of a deal have collapsed as the 21-year-old reportedly plans to extend his contract, whilst also securing an arrangement for a move in the future.

This may work to the Gunners’ advantage in the long-term but will lead Arteta and sporting director Edu to consider other options in the current transfer window. One player who has been the subject of various transfer rumours is Alvarez.

Following an excellent season with Man City, Alvarez has reportedly piqued the interest of several clubs, including Chelsea. Arsenal ‘Invincible’ Keown, speaking in September, compared the World Cup-winning star to one of the club’s most revered forwards.

“He reminds me of Bergkamp because he starts as a striker and just wanders into that position and you’re wondering who will pick him up,” Keown noted on Match of the Day. “[Man City] haven’t missed De Bruyne, which is a massive credit to him.

“His intelligence of movement where he wanders into that spot, always looking for space, always in the pocket and they always find him. He’s always on the half-turn, ready to go, looking for the big man up top. He stretches the back line.”

Finally, Keown added: “They’re playing now at an incredible level, wonderful talents all over. He’ll drift out wide as De Bruyne does occasionally. He’s got everything ahead of him, a wonderful talent.”

Despite a last-minute change of heart by Sesko, Keown’s high praise of Alvarez could lend merit to Arsenal possibly pursuing the Argentina international.

Alvarez has made quite an impact at Man City, accumulating 54 appearances and registering 32 goal contributions last term, even managing a brace in the Club World Cup final against Fluminense. Although he will always struggle to dislodge Erling Haaland from the starting XI, it seems Alvarez is not in a rush to leave Pep Guardiola’s team.

When queried about his future, Alvarez responded: “These are things that are said, but I am calm; I am comfortable and happy at City; we will see what happens.”

The 24-year-old’s contract is not set to expire anytime soon, with its end date penned for 2028. It means that prying Alvarez from Man City will be an uphill battle for Arsenal or any other interested club, with Atletico Madrid recently ruling themselves out of the transfer race.

Despite the likely hefty transfer fee, Man City has proven they are open to selling their star players to Premier League rivals. To name a few, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko moved to Arsenal, while Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer joined Chelsea recently.

The addition of a new frontman might just be what Arsenal needs for that final push to compete with Manchester City for the title. Meanwhile, Chelsea are also on the lookout for fresh firepower up front to challenge Nicolas Jackson.