Gary Neville has thrown his weight behind a potential move for Julian Alvarez to Arsenal, suggesting the Argentine forward could be the missing piece in Mikel Arteta's title and Champions League ambitions.
Reports indicate that Atletico Madrid have come to accept that a departure for the 26-year-old this summer may be in the best interests of both parties, and the Spanish club are reportedly prepared to negotiate with interested suitors, including Arsenal. While Alvarez is believed to favor a move to Barcelona, Neville insists Arsenal should not shy away from testing Atletico's willingness to sell.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville praised the squad Arteta has assembled at the Emirates Stadium and argued that the addition of a player of Alvarez's caliber would elevate Arsenal into genuine contenders on multiple fronts. "What a squad he has built here and if he adds another forward into that then I don't see how anyone can stop them," Neville said. He went on to stress the transformative impact such a signing could have, adding, "We think that Alvarez wants to go to Barcelona but if they could get Alvarez somehow Arsenal, that is going to light this place up because you've then got a world class striker to go with all the world class defenders and midfield players."
The former Manchester United defender believes the addition would not merely strengthen Arsenal domestically but could also propel them toward European glory. "And they become, not just Premier League title winners, you then think they can go the extra step and win a Champions League as well," he stated. Neville underlined the urgency of the current transfer window, describing the coming days as pivotal for Arteta's project. "It's massive this next ten days, he needs that little bit of magic up front that when you don't play well, they'll go and win a big game for you," he explained, before questioning whether the current squad already possesses that quality. "Has he got enough of that? I'm not sure."
Beyond the immediate impact of a marquee striker signing, Neville also touched on how Alvarez's arrival could reshape the dynamics of Arsenal's attacking unit, particularly benefiting captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian playmaker has often been tasked with varying his passing style depending on the movement of forwards around him, and Neville suggested a player with sharper off-the-ball instincts could unlock a new level in Odegaard's game.
"He's exceptional. If there was an Ian Wright-type player up front for Arsenal who makes those short runs he'd be even better," Neville said, drawing a comparison to the club's all-time leading scorer. He elaborated on the tactical nuance involved, noting, "As Havertz and Gyokeres always come to the ball, Odegaard has to play possession rather than playing the slip passes. If Arsenal were to sign Julian Alvarez then he'd go up a level as it would be perfect for the style of play. He's a fantastic player."
Neville also reflected on the competition for Odegaard's central attacking role, referencing the emergence of Eberechi Eze since his arrival at the club. "When Eberechi Eze came in I thought he'd take Odegaard's spot but he's re-established himself," he added, highlighting the depth and competitiveness within Arteta's squad heading into the crucial final stretch of the transfer window.
Based on reporting from standard-football.