Arteta announces Arsenal's decision amid rumoured Julian Alvarez swap deal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed speculation that the club will offer striker Viktor Gyökeres to Atlético Madrid as part of a swap deal for Julián Álvarez. 

Speaking after a pre-season friendly against Girona on Saturday, the Spanish tactician confirmed the Swedish forward remains in his plans for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Recent reports suggested Arsenal were preparing a player-plus-cash proposal to secure Álvarez, but the Argentina international is widely known to prefer a move to Barcelona. 

When directly questioned by the media about pursuing the Atlético Madrid forward or executing a potential exchange, Arteta firmly declined to engage in the speculation.

"I'm not going to talk about a footballer who isn't ours,” he said when asked about their pursuit for Julian Alvarez. Before proceeding to confirm Gyokeres’s continuation, "Yes, he's going to stay."

The transfer rumours surfaced despite Gyökeres establishing himself as a central component of Arsenal's recent domestic and European success. 

During his debut 2025/26 season following his summer arrival from Sporting CP, the 28-year-old recorded 21 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions.

Gyökeres' attacking output proved vital to ending the club's long wait for top-flight silverware, as his performances directly helped Arsenal win the 2025/26 Premier League title and reach the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final, marking their first appearance in the European showpiece since the 2005/06 season.