Arsenal fans may have left the Emirates with smiles on their faces after watching their side edge AC Milan in a pre-season friendly, but beneath the surface of a hard-fought win lie some uncomfortable truths for Mikel Arteta’s side. Once again, it was Bukayo Saka who delivered the moments of magic, reminding everyone just how heavily this Arsenal team leans on its 22-year-old star. And while youngster Max Dowman offered a bright spark on his debut, the lack of a ruthless cutting edge up front highlighted exactly why Arsenal’s pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres is not just sensible—it’s essential.
Pre-season games rarely provide definitive answers, but they often raise the right questions. Facing AC Milan was no different. In the first half, Arsenal started brightly, with Saka looking sharp and hungry after a well-deserved summer break. His goal in the 23rd minute was classic Saka: cutting in from the right, ghosting past his marker, and dispatching a crisp low finish into the far corner. It was a reminder that Arsenal’s talisman is ready to hit the ground running once competitive football begins.
Saka’s influence went beyond just the goal. Whenever Arsenal looked threatening, it was usually because the England winger had found a pocket of space or taken on his man. Milan’s backline, still building match fitness themselves, had no answer for his pace and directness. But for all of Saka’s brilliance, it was clear that without him on the pitch, Arsenal’s attack often ran out of ideas. Gabriel Jesus, once again playing through the middle, was industrious but wasteful, fluffing two clear chances that on another day could have put the game to bed before half-time.
Enter Max Dowman. The 18-year-old academy product was handed his first taste of senior action in the second half and made an instant impression. Dowman, who has turned heads with his performances for the U21s, slotted seamlessly into Arsenal’s midfield, showing confidence on the ball and a willingness to drive forward. His intelligent runs and slick passing gave Arsenal a new dimension, and it was his clever flick that nearly set up Fabio Vieira for a second goal late on. Arteta will be pleased to see another Hale End graduate stepping up to stake a claim, especially with the club’s fixture list about to get congested.
Yet for all the positives—Saka’s class and Dowman’s potential—this friendly also underlined Arsenal’s biggest flaw: the lack of a clinical number nine. Milan, who looked sluggish in parts, still managed to equalise through Rafael Leão after a defensive lapse, and it took a scrappy late effort from Reiss Nelson to seal the win for the Gunners. But the stats told their own story—Arsenal had 14 shots on goal but only scored twice, with several guilt-edged opportunities going begging.
This is where Viktor Gyokeres comes in. The Swedish striker has been on Arsenal’s radar all summer, with reports suggesting Sporting CP are bracing themselves for an official bid. Gyokeres’ goal-scoring exploits in Portugal have made him one of Europe’s most coveted forwards, and for good reason. He’s strong, quick, clinical and, crucially, doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work up front—qualities that Arsenal’s current crop of forwards too often lack.
A proven finisher like Gyokeres could transform this Arsenal side from title challengers to genuine favourites. Last season’s run-in exposed the Gunners’ over-reliance on Saka and Martin Ødegaard for goals, and while Kai Havertz and Jesus offer versatility, neither are prolific enough to guarantee 20+ goals a season. Gyokeres, who scored 27 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting last term, could be the missing piece.
Arteta knows this. The Spaniard has repeatedly hinted that Arsenal’s summer business isn’t over yet, and the club’s hierarchy have shown a willingness to back him when the right player becomes available. There’s also the reality that the Premier League is an unforgiving beast—Manchester City’s relentless consistency leaves no margin for error. If Arsenal want to push Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut all the way again, they need more than hope and moments of individual brilliance. They need cold, hard goals.
In the bigger picture, this win over Milan will fade into pre-season memory. But its lessons must not be ignored. Saka continues to be the beating heart of this team—Arsenal simply cannot afford to run him into the ground by expecting him to carry the burden alone for another season. Max Dowman’s promising cameo shows the club’s academy conveyor belt is alive and well. Yet without a ruthless striker to finish the chances that players like Saka and Dowman help create, Arsenal risk falling short again when it matters most.
So while fans can enjoy seeing the Emirates full and the Gunners’ young stars shining, the real victory this summer would be seeing Viktor Gyokeres holding up an Arsenal shirt before the transfer window slams shut. Until then, every missed chance will be a reminder that, for all their progress, Arsenal’s hunt for the final piece of
the puzzle goes on.
