Arsenal have made it clear they’re done dipping into Chelsea’s squad, at least for now. After wrapping up the £52m signing of Noni Madueke, the club were recently offered another Stamford Bridge forward, but sporting director Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta have already shut the door on that idea.
Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s unpredictable but talented striker, was offered to Arsenal by his agent Ali Barat. The same agent had just helped facilitate Madueke’s move to north London, but this time the club weren’t interested. Arsenal declined the offer, and for good reason.
Ali Barat offered him to us. We said no thank you.
— HandöfArsenal (@HandofArsenal) July 20, 2025
Arsenal’s striker strategy remains focused on Gyokeres
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The Swedish striker has been top of the shortlist for weeks, and despite drawn-out negotiations over the final fee, there’s growing belief that the deal will get done. The Gunners want to avoid panic moves, and with Gyokeres the clear first-choice target, there’s little sense in crowding the frontline with a profile like Jackson’s.
Jackson, for all his raw potential, remains a divisive figure at Chelsea. His finishing can be erratic, and his tendency to drift in and out of games has drawn criticism. While he might offer something different on paper, Arsenal’s coaching staff didn’t feel the upside justified the investment or the disruption to their tactical plans. And with Kai Havertz expected to continue rotating in as a second striker or false nine, Jackson simply didn’t fit.
Time to move beyond Chelsea dependency?
Madueke’s arrival marks the fifth player Arsenal have signed from Chelsea in recent years. Some have worked better than others. Jorginho has been a reliable presence, Havertz grew into a critical attacking option, but past examples like Willian and David Luiz proved mixed at best.
With Arsenal now pushing toward elite-level recruitment and competing with Europe’s best, there’s a growing sentiment that the club should look beyond Premier League rivals especially one they’re hoping to overtake consistently. Declan Rice and others have expressed their excitement about Madueke, but Arsenal fans and staff alike know the club can’t rely on Stamford Bridge hand-me-downs forever.
Author Opinion
As things stand, Arsenal are fully focused on bringing in Gyokeres and possibly one more wide attacker, with Rodrygo and Eze both on the radar. A move for Jackson would’ve been a step sideways at best or a step backward at worst. Arteta’s project needs clarity, quality, and cohesion. Gyokeres fits that brief. Jackson simply didn’t.
