Malick Fofana

At 21, the Lyon winger still has plenty of room to develop, but there is already enough in his game to suggest he could become a significant player. Fofana is direct, technically gifted and, crucially, willing to take defenders on. Against the low blocks Arsenal regularly face, that ability to beat a man and create something from nothing could be invaluable.

He can operate from the left or right, giving Mikel Arteta another versatile option across the front line. His pace also provides Arsenal with something they can occasionally lack: a genuine threat in behind.

What makes Fofana particularly appealing is that Arsenal would not simply be buying a finished product. They would be investing in a player with the potential to grow alongside the club’s existing young core.

There would inevitably be an adjustment period, particularly in the Premier League, but Arsenal have shown they are willing to invest in players they believe can develop into elite performers.

Fofana feels like exactly that kind of opportunity.

He has the explosiveness, personality and upside to become a major asset — and potentially a player Arsenal could build around for years to come.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford would be the biggest gamble on this list, but potentially the most rewarding.

At his best, Rashford possesses almost everything Arsenal could want from a left-sided attacker. He is quick, powerful and capable of attacking space behind a defensive line. More importantly, he has already shown he can score goals at the highest level.

That experience matters. Rashford has played in enormous matches for Manchester United and England, and he understands the pressure that comes with being expected to deliver consistently.

For Arsenal, his ability to stretch defences could be particularly valuable. Their possession-heavy approach can sometimes become predictable against teams sitting deep, and Rashford offers a different solution. Give him space and he can attack it aggressively; give him the ball in the final third and he has the ability to create for himself.

The concern, of course, is consistency. Rashford’s form has fluctuated considerably in recent seasons, while his wages and potential transfer fee would make this a significant financial commitment.

But there is a reason the idea remains attractive. Arsenal would be betting that, in a more stable environment under Mikel Arteta, Rashford could rediscover the level that once made him one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards.

If that version of Rashford returns, Arsenal would have one hell of a player.

Pedro Neto

The Portuguese winger brings something every elite attack needs: the willingness and ability to take the game forward. Neto is quick, aggressive and excellent at carrying the ball, giving Arsenal a way of turning possession into genuine attacking momentum.

Rather than simply keeping the ball moving, he is prepared to attack defenders. That could be particularly useful against the deep defensive blocks Arsenal so often encounter.

His versatility is another major advantage. Neto can play on either flank, allowing Arteta to move him around depending on the opposition and the needs of the game. He can provide width, attack the half-space or drive into the box himself.

There is, however, an obvious concern: his injury record. Neto has struggled with fitness throughout his career, and that makes any significant investment a risk.

The financial side is another consideration. Arsenal would likely have to pay a substantial fee for a player Chelsea invested heavily in.

Still, the fit is difficult to ignore.

Neto would bring pace, ball-carrying and directness to an Arsenal side that already has an excellent possession game. He could provide the spark needed to turn territorial dominance into goals.

If Arsenal can keep him fit, Neto has the qualities to make a real difference.

Igor Páixão

Igor Páixão is perhaps the most intriguing name on this list.

He may not have the profile of Rashford or Neto, but that could be precisely what makes him interesting. Páixão has developed into an increasingly influential attacker and offers the sort of directness and attacking personality Arsenal could benefit from.

He is comfortable receiving the ball in wide areas, taking responsibility and looking to make something happen. That willingness to attack is important for a team that can occasionally find itself facing opponents determined to deny space.

Páixão also brings an element of unpredictability. He is not simply a player who wants to maintain possession; he wants to progress the ball, take risks and create chances.

At 26, he also offers a useful balance between experience and potential. Arsenal would be signing someone capable of contributing immediately rather than waiting several seasons for him to develop.

The main question would be whether he can translate his form and style successfully to the Premier League. The physical demands and tactical expectations would represent a significant step up.

But Arsenal should not overlook him simply because he is less familiar than some of the bigger names being linked with the club.

Páixão could be the smart signing: a player arriving without the enormous expectations attached to a superstar, but with plenty of qualities that could make him an important part of Arteta’s attack.

Kevin Schade

Kevin Schade is the wildcard, but Arsenal could have good reason to take a chance on him.

The Brentford forward offers something slightly different from the other names on this list. He is quick, powerful and particularly effective when attacking space. For an Arsenal side that can dominate possession but occasionally struggle to create enough room in the final third, that could be extremely useful.

Schade’s pace forces defenders to turn and run. That changes the way a back four has to defend and, in turn, can create more space for Arsenal’s creative players.

His physicality is another appealing trait. He is capable of competing with Premier League defenders and has already gained valuable experience in English football.

There is still plenty for Schade to improve, particularly his consistency and end product. Arsenal would be taking a calculated risk rather than signing an established elite forward.

But that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Squad building is not simply about collecting the biggest names. It is about adding qualities that are missing, and Schade would give Arteta another way of attacking opponents.

He could run beyond the defence, stretch the pitch and provide a more direct option when Arsenal’s intricate combinations are not working.

For a player who is still developing, the potential upside is significant.

Schade may not be the glamorous choice, but he could prove to be one of the most useful.

DJ