Arsenal handed Brian Brobbey transfer verdict amid Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz struggles

Amid growing concerns about Viktor Gyökeres‘ situation at Arsenal, the Gunners could reportedly turn their attention to Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.

That is according to journalist Darren Lewis, who discussed the possibility on talkSPORT’s Kick-Off with Adrian Durham after Brobbey’s impressive performance against Manchester City.

The Dutch striker scored a hat trick at the Etihad despite Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat, immediately putting himself in the spotlight.

Lewis believes Brobbey has the qualities to be a valuable addition to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs and specifically mentioned Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United as potential destinations.

What Darren Lewis said

Lewis was particularly impressed by Brobbey’s performance for the Netherlands against Sweden at the World Cup, pointing to his physicality, movement and ability to bully defenders.

“I watched him play in the Netherlands game vs Sweden at the World Cup. It was a fantastic example of terrific centre-forward play. He was bullying centre-halves, latching onto balls from the wide areas.

“The way that [manager] Ronald Koeman played him was superb because he was just a one-man wrecking ball.”

Lewis then explained why he believes Brobbey could be an option for the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

“I see him as an option at Liverpool… with his strength, but his vision and his ability to read the game so well.

“And to take advantage, latch onto one centre-half, then another. And just intimidate and frighten the life out of them.

“Man United could really do with somebody with that capability. I think Arsenal could [too], absolutely.”

Do Arsenal really need Brian Brobbey?

The question for Arsenal is whether Brobbey would actually solve their current striker problem.

Mikel Arteta has not started Gyökeres in any Premier League game this season, with Kai Havertz preferred in the central role. That has inevitably raised questions about the Swedish striker’s future, especially after reports that Arsenal had previously explored using him in a deal for Julian Alvarez.

Arteta has previously insisted that Gyökeres is part of his plans, but football can change quickly. Gyökeres was not Arteta’s original striker target, and if the manager eventually decides he needs a different profile, Brobbey could be an interesting replacement.

Read More: Arsenal set for “crisis talks” to sign Real Madrid striker after Brighton loss

Powerful, hardworking and combative, the 24-year-old has the physical profile to lead the line and give Arsenal something different. He is also already Premier League proven after joining Sunderland from Ajax in 2025.

The hat trick against City has certainly increased the attention around him. If Brobbey can continue adding goals to his game, it may only be a matter of time before the biggest clubs start seriously considering him.