As Arsenal enters the most critical phase of their season, a major setback has emerged. With both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the rest of the campaign, Mikel Arteta faces a tactical dilemma—one that sees him without two of his key attacking pieces. The title race remains incredibly tight, and while the Gunners have battled fiercely to stay in contention, their lack of attacking depth could prove costly.
This brings us to football’s equivalent of a bargain bin—the world of free agents, where out-of-contract players linger like overlooked items in a clearance sale. Arsenal’s need for reinforcements is undeniable, but realistically, the available options aren’t exactly thrilling. It’s akin to rummaging through the discount aisle at a supermarket—there may be something useful, but chances are, it’s either past its prime or not quite the perfect fit.
Yet, with the Premier League season nearing its climax, desperate times may call for desperate measures. Some of these free agents once shone on the grandest stages of European football, but now, they are fading stars hoping for one last shot at redemption. So, who could Arsenal realistically bring in without spending a transfer fee? We’ve identified seven possible candidates—not game-changers, but perhaps serviceable stopgaps—as Arteta’s side looks to challenge Liverpool to the very end.
Lucas Perez
Last club: Deportivo La Coruña
Mikel Arteta wouldn’t… would he? The Spanish forward endured an underwhelming stint at Arsenal between 2016 and 2018, making just 11 appearances and scoring a single goal—securing his place among the club’s most forgettable signings. However, beyond his time at the Emirates, Perez has remained a reliable attacking presence, capable of both scoring and creating opportunities.
At Deportivo La Coruña, his most recent club, the 36-year-old registered an impressive 62 goals and 53 assists in 172 games. A return to north London seems highly unlikely, but for football romantics, there’s an undeniable appeal to the idea of Perez defying expectations and playing a role in Arsenal’s pursuit of their first league title in over 20 years—years after leaving the club with only regrets.
Mariano Díaz
Last club: Sevilla
Though his recent goal tally is unimpressive—just six La Liga goals in three seasons—Mariano Díaz’s main selling point is his pedigree. The former Dominican Republic international made over 80 appearances for Real Madrid, sharing the pitch with legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.
Could he provide the composure and experience that Arsenal’s youthful and inconsistent attack is lacking? At this stage, any recognized center-forward could be an asset—and finding one with three Champions League titles on a free transfer is a rare opportunity. That said, those honors might need to be taken with a pinch of salt…
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