UMVA has learned that Arsenal’s heartbreaking Champions League final loss in Budapest has ignited a fierce debate about the club’s future forward line.
The Gunners fell to Paris Saint‑Germain on penalties after a tense 1‑1 draw, with Kai Havertz’s early strike matched by Ousmane Dembélé’s second‑half spot‑kick. When the shootout arrived, Eze and Gabriel missed, handing PSG a 4‑3 victory and the crown.
According to information obtained by UMVA, former Arsenal stalwart Martin Keown urged manager Mikel Arteta to reconsider two key players for the upcoming transfer window, suggesting a fresh striker and a new option on the left wing.
Keown highlighted Havertz’s limited minutes – only his second full 90‑minute game in 18 months – and pointed to Viktor Gyökeres, the £64 million summer signing who was left out of the final, as a potential area for overhaul.
“They may look again at the striker,” Keown told TNT Sports, adding that Gyökeres “had a difficult night” and that Arsenal should also explore left‑wing alternatives. He affirmed his confidence that Arteta will reinforce the squad.
Legendary Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard echoed the sentiment, warning that a club playing 63 games a season cannot rely on a single top forward. “You need more than one top striker, maybe even more than two,” he said, urging Arsenal to keep refreshing talent.
Amid the criticism, Declan Rice offered a rallying cry to teammates Gabriel and Eze, reminding fans that their penalty misses would never erase the Premier League triumph that defined the season.
As Arsenal prepares to parade their long‑awaited league title through north London, the summer market looms large. UMVA can exclusively reveal that the club is expected to back Arteta with significant investment, targeting a proven goal scorer and a dynamic winger to lift the squad from near‑glory to outright dominance.
