How Arsenal could line up with Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera as triple transfer edges closer

After settling for a runners-up finish in the Premier League for a third straight season in 2024-25, Arsenal are desperate to go one step further in the new campaign as they endeavour to lift their first top-flight title in over two decades.

Under the guidance of new sporting director Andrea Berta, the Gunners have experienced a busy summer transfer window so far, with eight players departing including Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Kieran Tierney and Raheem Sterling, who has returned to Chelsea following a loan spell.

Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga are three new arrivals at the Emirates Stadium who are beginning to settle into their new surroundings ahead of the Gunners’ pre-season tour of Asia, which begins with a clash against AC Milan in Singapore on July 23.

Three more fresh faces could soon be confirmed as new signings by Arsenal, including top target Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners have allegedly agreed a fee in the region of £63m with Sporting Lisbon to sign he prolific striker.

Mikel Arteta’s next addition is likely to be Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, though, as the 23-year-old England international is understood to have already passed his medical ahead of finalising a £52m move across London.

Furthermore, Arsenal are closing in on the £13m signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has been spotted arriving at a Spanish airport ahead of landing in the UK to complete a medical and sign a long-term contract.

With excitement building on the red side of North London, Sports Mole takes a look at how Arsenal could line up with Gyokeres, Madueke and Mosquera under Arteta in the 2025-26 season.

Arsenal’s number one priority is the addition of a prolific centre-forward which Gooners have been craving ever since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's acrimonious exit in February 2022. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have failed to make the desired impact on a consistent basis as a number nine, but Gyokeres could be the man to fire Arteta’s side to the next level.

In two seasons at Sporting Lisbon, Gyokeres has established himself as one of the deadliest strikers in Europe, scoring an astonishing 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese giants who have won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles thanks to the Sweden international.

Gyokeres, who netted 54 goals in 52 matches last season, is a physically strong and pacey striker who is comfortable holding up the ball and running in behind defences, and he would be expected to slot straight into Arteta’s starting lineup should he join Arsenal, potentially making his Premier League debut against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the new season.

Arguably the first name on Arteta’s teamsheet is starboy Bukayo Saka and with his position on the right flank locked in, Madueke may be required to feature more regularly on the left side of attack, even though he has predominantly operated as a right-winger throughout his career.

Madueke, who chipped in with seven goals and four assists in 32 Premier League outings for Chelsea last season, would be a capable option as backup to Saka, should he be either injured or rested, but he will hope to feature regularly under Arteta and will back himself to pose a regular threat in the final third playing on either flank.

The arrival of Madueke, which has not gone down too well with every Arsenal supporter, is set to see the Englishman battle for starts with the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the latter two have been linked with potential summer exits, though.

With Arteta expected to stick with a familiar 4-3-3 formation at Arsenal, his midfield trio could consist of captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and new signing Zubimendi, a £51m arrival from Real Sociedad.

Zubimendi and fellow new recruit Norgaard - a £15m signing from Brentford - are two new deep-lying midfielders that have been added to Aretta’s squad following the departures of Partey and Jorginho and their arrivals will allow Rice to operate more regularly in a No.8 position in midfield, while Odegaard continues in his playmaker role.

Mikel Merino and potentially Havertz are two more midfield options who will rival Rice and Odegaard for starts, and they are also makeshift options to feature up front as an alternative to Gyokeres.

In defence, Mosquera will not expect to establish himself as a first-team regular straight away should he complete his move to Arsenal, but he will provide solid cover for first-choice options William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Should either Saliba or Gabriel be rested or ruled out injured, Mosquera has the benefit of playing both as a right-sided and left-sided centre-back, and the Spain Under-21 international - who has 90 first-team appearances for Valencia under his belt - will likely compete with Ben White and Jakub Kiwior for starts in central defence.

White is also comfortable playing as a right-back and could rotate regularly with Jurrien Timber, while Riccardo Calafiori is another central defensive option who may be preferred as a left-back along with last season’s breakout star Myles Lewis-Skelly.

David Raya is Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper who shared last season’s Premier League Golden Glove award with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels after keeping 13 clean sheets. The Spaniard, who has now taken the No.1 shirt number at the Emirates, will enjoy the challenge of fending off competition from new recruit Kepa, a £5m signing from Chelsea who impressed on loan at Bournemouth last season.

Written by
Oliver Thomas