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Arsenal won the title with Viktor Gyokeres leading the line, but the Sweden striker could see his long-term successor arrive this summer.

Arsenal are preparing moves for a possible heir to Viktor Gyokeres as manager Mikel Arteta looks to reshape his forward line.

The Sweden international joined the Gunners 12 months ago as the much-awaited no.9 expected to spearhead Arteta’s side and offer a stronger focal point in an Arsenal team that at times found goals hard to come by with Kai Havertz playing up front.

However, after scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, Gyokeres has come in for heavy criticism and has not fully convinced large sections of the Emirates Stadium support.

Although Gyokeres scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, the 28-year-old found it particularly difficult against stronger opposition, managing to score against only two teams in the Premier League top 10 last season. His overall game has also been questioned, especially as he has struggled to hold the ball up and bring team-mates into play in the way Havertz does.

FourFourTwo understands that Atletico Madrid are interested in the Arsenal striker and, with Arsenal keen on Julian Alvarez, there is a possibility that the Premier League champions could move Gyokeres on just a year after paying what the BBC reported was £55 million to sign him.

Now, Sport Witness have highlighted Brazilian no.9 Kaua Elias as a possible attacking option for the Gunners, with TNT Sports relaying details of Arsenal’s interest.

The Shakhtar Donetsk forward is seen as being cut from a similar cloth to Havertz, with his physical profile earning praise, and while Arsenal are still scanning the market for an A-list attacker to add more threat in forward areas, Elias may be viewed more as a supporting squad option.

Arteta has already made a signing of that type this summer in Christos Tzolis, who may ultimately be used only as cover for a more high-profile left winger by the end of the transfer window. But with Arsenal now concentrating on Alvarez after their failed attempt to sign Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, the make-up of Arsenal’s frontline could change somewhat.

If Alvarez is used on the left, he would likely function better alongside a target man, something Gyokeres has already shown he is not in this system.

FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal would only consider a particularly attractive offer for Gyokeres and are not actively looking to sell him at this stage, with Arteta highly appreciative of the mentality and work rate the former Coventry City player brings to the side.

For much of last season, Arsenal were left with Gyokeres as their only recognised centre-forward, as both Havertz and makeshift option Mikel Merino, a World Cup winner, spent large parts of the campaign out injured.

Both players have now returned fit for pre-season, though, and could ease some of the load on Gyokeres this term, with the reported £30m required to sign Kaua Elias likely to be channelled into another defender or used as part of a bigger attacking deal.

The 20-year-old is valued at €30m by Transfermarkt. Arsenal open their Premier League season against Coventry.