Arsenal's quest for Premier League success has been hampered by a string of injuries to their attacking players. Gabriel Jesus sustained a ruptured ACL in January, ruling him out for the rest of the season, while Kai Havertz has also been sidelined with a long-term injury. These setbacks have severely weakened Mikel Arteta’s attacking options, forcing the club to consider signing reinforcements from the free-agent market.
Roberto Firmino has emerged as a potential option in recent reports, with the Brazilian forward’s situation at Al Ahli drawing attention. Formerly a key figure at Liverpool, Firmino now finds himself in limbo after being left out of Al Ahli’s 25-man league squad following the club’s January signing of Galeno from FC Porto. This exclusion has sparked speculation about a possible contract termination, which could make Firmino a free agent and pave the way for a Premier League return.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has identified Firmino as a player to monitor if his circumstances at Al Ahli change. While Arsenal are not actively pursuing free agents at the moment, Jacobs suggests that Firmino’s availability could prompt a rethink, particularly in light of their current injury crisis. His experience and versatility could offer a valuable short-term boost to Mikel Arteta’s depleted attacking options.
Signing Firmino comes with its complexities. Al Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle has praised the Brazilian’s professionalism and leadership, despite his omission from the league squad. “It was a difficult decision for the club, based on the rules. We appreciate him, and he dealt with it professionally. He’s still one of our leaders,” Jaissle stated, indicating that the club may be hesitant to let him go, particularly since he remains eligible for the Asian Champions League.
From Arsenal’s perspective, any move for Firmino would need to align with their long-term strategy. While his Premier League experience is undeniable—having scored 111 goals in 362 appearances for Liverpool—his recent form and fitness raise valid concerns. At 33, questions remain about whether he can adapt to Arsenal’s high-intensity playing style and provide the impact needed in their injury-hit attack.
The financial aspect of signing Firmino cannot be ignored. While he would be available on a free transfer, his wage demands and potential signing-on fee must be carefully evaluated against Arsenal’s budget and long-term strategy. The club must determine whether a short-term fix aligns with their broader vision, particularly with the summer transfer window approaching.
Tactically, Firmino’s skill set could complement Arteta’s system. His intelligent link-up play and defensive work rate align well with the manager’s philosophy, and his ability to operate as a false nine or an attacking midfielder offers valuable flexibility. He could form a dynamic partnership with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, providing Arsenal with additional attacking options.
However, integrating a new player mid-season presents challenges. Developing on-field chemistry and adapting to Arsenal’s playing style takes time—something the team cannot afford as they push for the title. As a result, the club must weigh the immediate benefits of signing Firmino against the risks of disrupting their current setup.
In the meantime, Arteta may need to look internally for solutions, whether by promoting academy prospects or tweaking his tactical approach to cope with the injury crisis. This would be in keeping with Arsenal’s tradition of developing young talent and could unearth future stars ready to step up.
With key decisions looming, the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping Arsenal’s response. The club’s hierarchy must stay vigilant, monitoring Firmino’s situation and other emerging opportunities in the ever-changing transfer market.