Arsenal were unable to sign a winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform until the next opportunity to address this area of the pitch opens in January, but there is a risk of burnout.
The lack of depth in this area has been clear in recent months as Eddie Nketiah had been forced to play on the wing in back-to-back matches, despite naturally being a forward. Mikel Arteta hasn’t utilised a different wing option other than the two starters since Emile Smith Rowe’s injury in September.
One player who the club were reportedly looking to sign in the summer transfer window was Cody Gakpo. But with a deal never managing to materialise, the Dutchman’s excellent progress in the early months of the season highlights why Arsenal need to return for the winger in January.
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Gakpo has had an exceptional start to the season with the winger recording the most goal contributions in Europe’s top ten leagues. Gakpo has 30 goal involvements while Neymar follows in second place with 27, and Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi with 26.
The Dutchman replicated his impressive club form with his national team as his crucial 84th-minute goal against Senegal in the World Cup helped the Netherlands to win their first match of the tournament.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that Arsenal could accelerate their plans to sign the Dutch winger and has not ruled out a January move. This comes after an excellent start to the season for the youngster in the Eredivisie.
Arsenal’s current starting wingers have been excellent this season, but for the youngsters to keep this level of performance and intensity, there will be times during the season when they will need rest. With a lack of depth in quality in the wide areas, this has not been the case for Saka or Martinelli, with Arteta forced to play both in the Europa League group stage this season due to a lack of options, which could lead to burnout.
Gakpo could be the solution to this as 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.
And Manchester United are one of these clubs according to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, as they claim that the Red Devils are currently leading the race to sign the winger.
Despite the doubts concerning the winger’s ability to adapt to the Premier League due to the increased physicality required, the Dutchman has already ticked some of Arteta’s boxes when it comes to being important in the dressing room, which has been proven by the fact that Gakpo is vice-captain at PSV. It highlights that he would certainly adapt to the culture at Arsenal.
Gakpo has proven that he would be a useful signing for the Gunners. Arteta’s reluctance to use the depth in wide areas this season highlights the Dutchman’s arrival in January is certainly a necessity.
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