Julian Alvarez could be Mikel Arteta’s version of Bernardo Silva if he joins Arsenal this summer

Julian Alvarez would be a massive statement signing from Arsenal.

But let’s address the elephant in the room.

We are — at best — his second choice. The Argentine has made it clear all summer that he wants to join Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid have outright refused to sell to their La Liga rivals, however, effectively leaving Alvarez the choice to stay at the Metropolitano or join the Premier League champions.

But there has been a lot of debate, specifically among Talking Points users, about whether Arsenal should even pursue a deal for a player whose heart is elsewhere.

Would he even be committed? Wouldn’t he just be looking for a way out next summer?

james.brooke 1 days ago Doesn’t seem especially likely, and why would you want a player who has quite clearly got his heart set on Barca anyway. Will only be looking for a way out in a couple of years 1 Reply Report

Well, you only need to look at someone like Bernardo Silva to realise these concerns are overblown.

Bernardo Silva has shown why Arsenal shouldn’t be concerned about Julian Alvarez

Pretty much every summer from 2021, Bernardo Silva had been pining to join Barcelona.

Manchester City wouldn’t let him go, simply because Barca wouldn’t meet their asking price.

And yet, throughout every one of those summers, Silva showed up to City’s pre-season and trained professionally. He didn’t sulk or down tools and actually ended up delivering some of the best football of his career.

Bernardo has now of course joined Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract at the Etihad, in what is surely a boost to Arsenal’s title chances.

And he left as one of the most respected and beloved players in Man City’s history, having contributed to multiple Premier League titles and Champions League success.

jameslloyd14.jl 22h Bernardo Silva was pining to leave City for Barca for years, didn’t affect his performances. Reality is Barca+Madrid will always sit on top of the football food chain. Can get a brilliant player for a couple of seasons and then sell him on 🤷 1 Reply Report

If Arsenal fans want a more familiar example, Patrick Vieira flirted with a move away every summer. But again, he consistently delivered for the team until the right move materialised.

Does Alvarez really strike you as a guy that will be half-hearted in his performances?

Barcelona and Real Madrid will always sit on top of the football food chain. That’s just the way it is.

Besides, Sami Mokbel reported that although Mikel Arteta is aware of Alvarez’s preference, the Arsenal manager is convinced he would become fully invested in the project once he comes in.

And even if he isn’t, what’s the worst case scenario? He has one good-but-not-great season and leaves for Barca next summer for a fee close to what they paid for him?

The best case is that Arteta is right, Alvarez catches the Arsenal fever, falls in love with the club, and he helps Arsenal win another Premier League title or two, maybe even a Champions League.

Alvarez undoubtedly makes Arsenal better, and it would arguably be the club’s biggest signing since Mesut Ozil.

The chance to sign a player good enough to be Barcelona’s main transfer target doesn’t come around often.

Arsenal or their fans shouldn’t see that as a red flag, but as validation.

Do you really think Liverpool fans would’ve passed up on Jude Bellingham if a move to his preferred destination, Real Madrid, broke down? Of course they wouldn’t.

Arsenal have a real chance of signing one of the best players in the world. Fans should embrace it!