Arsenal were left short in the wide areas going into the season following the closing of the summer market. Nicolas Pepe was allowed to leave the club on loan to join OGC Nice, but a replacement was unable to be signed.
In the first half of the campaign, a lack of options aside from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka has certainly impacted the Gunners, with added pressure on the two youngsters to maintain their fitness, which at this point they have succeeded in doing so. However, it is still an issue that Edu must address in the upcoming transfer windows.
One player who the club were reportedly looking to sign in the last summer transfer window was Mykhaylo Mudryk. But, due to how late in the window the Gunners seemed to register interest in him, a deal seemed too difficult to complete.
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Arsenal’s decision not to sign him could prove to be a blessing in disguise, however, as Mikel Arteta now potentially has the perfect audition chance when it comes to signing the Ukrainian. This comes amid Shakhtar Donetsk’s drop into the Europa League after failing to progress to the Champions League knockout rounds.
With the Gunners’ position in the knockout stages of the Europa League secured ahead of next year, it means that there is a chance that Mudryk’s side could directly come up against Arsenal.
We have already seen one Gunners’ transfer target in the Europa League take place in an audition this season as PSV’s Cody Gakpo was ever-present against the Gunners in the group stages. Arsenal were one of several Premier League clubs interested in PSV winger Gakpo, football.london understands. Further reports have gone on to say that he could be signed for around £35million.
Gakpo played twice against the Gunners this season, and while he failed his first audition, the second match he played was certainly a success as he grabbed an assist and played a pivotal part in ensuring Arsenal suffered their second defeat of the season.
Now, Mudryk could also be handed a similar opportunity. Amid such interest in Mudryk, it appears as though the youngster is very open to a move to Arsenal, who need more depth in their wide areas. Speaking to CBS Sports, he said: "I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. It's hard to say [who his preferred move is] but Arsenal is a very good team, very good coach, I like the way they play."
When asked if he would make a move to the Emirates Stadium he said: "From my side, I can't say no [to Arsenal]. But the transfer is not only my decision."
Despite a similar audition chance to Gakpo, Mudryk is set to cost far much more than the Dutchman. Shakhtar Donetsk's deputy Sporting Director Carlo Nicolini spoke on a potential deal vis Calciomercato. He said: “Arsenal and Manchester City are two teams that have taken an interest but there are also other clubs.
"We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100million (£86million).”
If Mudryk impresses in the knockout stages of the Europa League, then the astronomical fee could be worth it. With Gakpo already having his Arsenal audition, Mudryk could be next in line, which is proving to be a blessing for Arteta.
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