It’s three goals in three games for Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo and Arsenal watch on with a long-term profile of interest slipping away as a Premier League rival looks to move swiftly. Reports suggest Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants to move fast this winter to secure the 23-year-old.
Have Arsenal missed their chance on Gakpo, and will he join a long list of players they regret not having snapped up sooner? In short, it’s impossible to know in these early stages but there are plenty of examples of players who the Gunners missed out on recently that have not necessarily made Edu and Mikel Arteta need to look back at what could have been.
Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for then Red Bull Salzburg’s Dominik Szoboszlai. However, sister club RB Leipzig stole a march and signed the Hungarian in January of last year.
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The attacking midfielder has certainly made his name in the Bundesliga, ending last season with six goals and eight assists. He already has seven assists to his name this season after just 13 league appearances too.
However, Arsenal eventually brought in Martin Odegaard to be the creative force for the Gunners and the Norwegian has since become club captain and an undroppable figure in the side top of the table. He is also the leading goalscorer in the squad with six and looking to reach double digits for goals before the season ends.
Dusan Vlahovic was courted by Arsenal throughout the previous winter window at the beginning of 2022. Eventually, Juventus answered the Serbian’s calls and he join the side now embroiled in controversy after their entire board resigned this week.
Vlahovic has scored goals but his displays haven’t been enough to oust Aleksandar Mitrovic from the Serbia starting spot at the World Cup. Even with his country needing a goal against Cameroon, he was left on the bench.
Meanwhile, Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus whose goals, assists, and Premier League-winning mentality has been a key driving factor in what sees the Gunners sit five points clear at the top of the table. Edu may not always see the players that the club has an interest in join, but there is a growing reputation for the players that are signed for serious money, to leave the club with no regrets over who they miss out on.
If Gakpo is to leave for Manchester United, Arsenal fans need not worry as of yet. football.london understands that Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk is of long-term interest to the club and there are sure to be other alternatives being considered.
The recruitment has not been perfect, but it has been effective in progressing the club. Fans should look forward to what deals will be done, and not look back to what could have been.
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