Since the invincible season of 2003-04, Arsenal have battled to regain the league title without success. Second-place finishes in 04-05, 15-16, and the last two seasons have been the closest attempts, but there is belief in what Arteta is building that a Premier League title is an inevitability.

The team has been there or thereabouts with bookmakers for years, but strong Manchester City and Liverpool sides have typically overshadowed the Gunners' chances. This season, Arsenal fans find the club sitting behind Liverpool in the league and as the bookies favourites, with the Anfield club odds on to lift the title.

However, among UK operators and new bookmakers not on Gamstop, Arsenal are priced at around 18/5 and are seen as Liverpool's only credible threat. Manchester City's mid-season implosion following Haaland's infamous 'humble' comments has seen them drop to 150/1 to defend their title.

However, there is one thing that critics keep coming back to in terms of Arsenal's league chances, and that is the lack of a consistent goal-scoring forward.

Since Aubameyang left for Barcelona in 2022, the club has struggled to fill the vacant striker role. Gabriel Jesus' struggles to stay fit have seen him unable to string together a decent run of consecutive appearances, and the potential of Eddie Nketiah never developed into the quality the team was looking for.

Kai Havertz has faced criticism from some sections of the support, but 29 goals and 12 assists in 85 appearances is not a bad return for a player who has had to adapt to playing up front rather than his preferred attacking midfield role.

This lack of a proven goalscorer has had the rumour mill in overdrive for a few seasons now, and one player that looked destined to wear the red and white is current Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. The talented Swede is just 25 and has proven to be good value for money despite being Newcastle's record signing for £63 million.

54 goals and 9 assists in 95 games has been an excellent return, but it has seen his value skyrocket, with Newcastle expected to command a transfer fee of around £150 for the player. His current contract doesn't run out until the Summer of 2028, so the chances of getting him on the cheap are not good.

While many fans would love to see the player move down south, talk of interest from Barcelona could put an end to Arsenal's chances. Arteta has been looking elsewhere though, and one player who could make the move to North London is Benjamin Šeško.

Šeško currently plays for RB Leipzig after joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and the 6ft 5" 21-year-old Slovenian has continued his good form. His 29 goals and 11 assists in 79 games represent a goal involvement every other game for the Bundesliga club, and he had similar stats at Leipzig, scoring 33 and having 6 assists in 72 appearances.

16 goals in 39 international appearances has also helped to alert some of Europe's top clubs to his availability, with many hoping he has the potential to emulate Erling Haaland's career path since he left Red Bull Salzburg.

There are rumours that Chelsea could also be interested in the young striker, but Arsenal could be the preferred destination due to there being less competition for places and a better chance of winning the league. A transfer fee of around £70 million is nothing to be sniffed at, but this would be less than half the price the club would be expected to pay for Isak.

Of course, Isak and Šeško are not the only strikers to be linked with Arsenal and Moise Kean could be set for a Premier League return. The former Everton forward failed to make an impact during his last spell in England, but he has found form at Fiorentina where a release clause of around £43 million is said to be interesting Arsenal and Tottenham.

Liverpool's Diogo Jota is another forward being linked with a move to Arsenal, but he would be another option that is not an out-and-out striker. While he would add class and experience, fans will be keen on securing a goalscoring striker that could fire them to glory.

There are two other hot properties that could interest Arteta in the Summer, with Victor Osimhen continuing his fine goalscoring form at Galatasaray on loan from Napoli. The Nigerian striker had been one of the most sought-after players in European football during his time at Napoli, but that relationship soured after failed moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia. 

The other player who has generated a lot of interest is former Brighton and Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres. Gyokeres has been prolific in Portugal and has also proven himself on the European stage and a release clause of around £80 million could spark a transfer race in the Summer.

If Arsenal are to be taken seriously as title contenders, a striker must be a priority for Arteta. There are lots of options open to him over the Summer, and he will have to decide whether he wants to gamble on potential or spend big on proven talent.