Arsenal are on a mission this summer, and anyone watching closely can feel the intensity behind their transfer window activity. Itโs not just about buying players anymore. Itโs about building a squad that can finally lift the Premier League trophy and go toe to toe with Europeโs elite in the Champions League. Under the leadership of new Sporting Director Andrea Berta, Arsenal have already made bold moves, bringing in top-quality signings and setting the tone for a powerful season ahead. But the mission isnโt over. The next big question on every Arsenal fanโs lips is this: Should the club go all out to sign Crystal Palaceโs Eberechi Eze, or should they shift their focus to someone elseโsomeone like Ademola Lookman?
This summer has already seen Arsenal make six major signings. From the outside, it looks like theyโve done enough, but Berta and Mikel Arteta believe the project still needs more firepower. Thatโs why the name Eberechi Eze has refused to leave Arsenal headlines. The Crystal Palace star has been the subject of strong interest from the North London club, and discussions have taken place. Arsenal want him. Badly. But thereโs a twist.
Eze is not cheap. Heโs got a release clause of ยฃ68 million that runs until August 15, and after that, Palace could easily push the price higher depending on interest from other clubs. For a player of Ezeโs quality, that price tag is understandable, especially after the sensational season he just had. But it still forces Arsenal into a difficult decision: spend big on Eze or go for a more strategic option.
Letโs take a closer look at Eze and why Arsenal are even considering splashing out nearly ยฃ70 million to get him. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder was one of the shining stars of the Premier League last season. In a Crystal Palace team that finished mid-table, Eze was the heartbeat of the attack. In 43 appearances, he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists. Thatโs 25 goal contributions in 3303 minutes, which works out to one every 132 minutes. For context, that kind of consistency is exactly what Arsenal need to maintain a title charge or make it past the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
And it wasnโt just the numbers. Eze showed his ability to perform in clutch moments. He scored in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final of the FA Cup, helping Crystal Palace lift their first major trophy. Those are the kind of moments that catch the eye of top clubs. And Arsenal took notice. Micah Richards even described him as a โmagicianโ on the ball. His creativity, flair, and calmness under pressure make him the kind of player who could unlock defences when Arsenalโs usual patterns arenโt working. Thatโs a luxury few teams have.
But football isnโt just about what a player can do. Itโs about what a club needs most, and whether that player fits the overall strategy. Spending ยฃ68 million is no joke, especially when thereโs a player like Ademola Lookman out there whoโs just as effectiveโif not moreโand available for a reported ยฃ43 million. Thatโs right. Lookman could cost Arsenal ยฃ25 million less than Eze, and when you dive into his numbers, the case for him becomes very hard to ignore.
Since joining Atalanta in 2022, Lookman has become one of the most deadly attackers in Serie A. Heโs played 118 games for the Italian club and has racked up an astonishing 52 goals and 25 assists in just under 7,600 minutes. Thatโs a goal involvement every 97 minutes, which is a faster rate than Eze.
If you break it down further, you see just how consistent heโs been over the last three seasons. In the 2022/23 season, he scored 15 goals and got 8 assists in just 33 appearances. The following year, 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games. And last season? He hit 20 goals and added 7 assists in 40 appearances. Thatโs 52 goals and 25 assists in three yearsโnumbers you expect from a world-class forward.
The BBCโs John Bennett even described Lookman as โworld-classโ after he delivered the performance of his life in the Europa League final. Playing against Xabi Alonsoโs undefeated Bayer Leverkusen side, Lookman stole the show with a stunning hat-trick that handed Atalanta their first European trophy in history. That performance didnโt just win the matchโit won hearts, headlines, and put Lookman back on the radar of top clubs across Europe, including Arsenal.
So hereโs the big question: Why spend ยฃ68 million on Eze when Lookman has proven to be more efficient, more clinical, and more decisive in bigger matches, all for ยฃ43 million?
Of course, the two players are not identical. Eze plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, drifting into wide areas, creating space, and linking up play. Lookman is more of a direct winger or forward, someone who thrives on driving into the box and getting shots away. But in a flexible Arsenal system, both players could thrive. And based on current form, Lookman looks like the one with more killer instinct.
Another key point is how easily Lookman could fit into Artetaโs system. Heโs already shown he can press, track back, and contribute defensively. Heโs played in compact systems in Italy where discipline is crucial, and heโs flourished. For a manager like Arteta, who demands total commitment and tactical awareness from all his players, thatโs a massive plus.
Thereโs also the issue of competition. Crystal Palace are likely to ask for the full release clause amount for Eze, and with other Premier League teams potentially entering the race, the price could balloon quickly. Lookman, on the other hand, was on his way to Inter Milan until Atalanta blocked the move. But now that heโs available to leaveโjust not to another Italian clubโArsenal have a real opportunity to swoop in and get the deal done without facing a bidding war.
And the value doesnโt stop at just the transfer fee. With the money saved from not signing Eze, Arsenal could potentially strengthen other areas of the squad. Maybe another defender, or another midfielder. Depth matters in long seasons, and if Arsenal are serious about competing across all fronts, they need every penny to count.
Thatโs not to say Eze wouldnโt be a brilliant signing. He would. But Lookman offers something more urgentโend product. Arsenal have creative players like Martin รdegaard and Bukayo Saka already. What they need is a player who will take chances, finish moves, and step up in finals. Lookman has shown he can do all of that.
Even his time at Everton, though less memorable, helped shape him. Heโs matured since then, evolved as a player, and become a much more lethal version of himself. His journey through the Bundesliga, then Ligue 1, and now Serie A has made him tougher, smarter, and more complete.
And let’s not ignore the emotional side. Lookman is Nigerian and has become one of Africaโs standout stars in Europe. Signing him would not only improve Arsenal on the pitch, but also help expand their global fanbase. Nigerian fans are passionate, loyal, and they would be thrilled to see one of their own shining at the Emirates. It would be a powerful statement. If Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta are looking at this strategically, the signs all point in one direction. Lookman is ready. Heโs proven. Heโs hungry. And heโs available.
So whatโs next for Arsenal?
Theyโll have to act fast. If other clubs start circling around Lookman, the price could rise, and the competition could stiffen. Arsenal have the resources and reputation to get the deal done, but they must move before itโs too late.
As the days tick by, the Eze saga continues, but perhaps itโs time for Arsenal to shift their focus. Instead of chasing a player whose price might keep rising, they can go for someone whoโs already shown heโs capable of delivering on the biggest stage. Ademola Lookman might not be the headline everyone expects, but he could be the signing that changes everything.
With a deal that could cost around ยฃ43 million, Arsenal could get a player with Champions League potential, Europa League experience, and a killer mentality. A player who can turn tight games into victories and make the difference when it matters most.
In the end, this isnโt just about buying a player. Itโs about sending a message. That Arsenal are not here to play it safe anymore. That theyโre ready to take risks, make bold moves, and finally claim the silverware their fans have been dreaming of for years.
The Eze deal might still happen. But if it doesnโt, Arsenal fans shouldnโt be disappointed. Because in Ademola Lookman, thereโs a player whoโs just as dangerous, just as gifted, and maybe even more perfect for this new Arsenal era. And maybe, just maybe, this summer’s biggest signing wonโt be the one everyone expectedโbut the one Arsenal truly needed.
