PSV and Netherlands star Cody Gakpo continues to impress for club and country this season with links over a transfer to Arsenal still circulating.
The Gunners are expected to be keen on adding a new forward and central midfielder to Mikel Arteta's squad in January. Edu Gaspar, Arsenal's new sporting director, will be keeping a close eye on the World Cup along with a number of the club's scouts as they finalise plans for the upcoming transfer window.
Arsenal hold a long-term interest in Gakpo but a summer transfer proved to be too difficult to complete with the 23-year-old keen to play regular first-team football ahead of the World Cup to ensure he starts under Louis van Gaal, football.london understands. Manchester United are set to rival the Gunners for Gakpo's signing with the Dutch forward keen on a move to the Premier League, as reported by football.london earlier this year.
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Gakpo has enjoyed a brilliant 2022/23 campaign so far and continued his immense club form into the World Cup after scoring the Netherlands' first goal in their 2-0 win against Senegal. His goal now means the 23-year-old has scored or assisted 33 goals in all competitions this season, making him the most productive player in Europe.
Arteta likes to have attackers in his squad that can contribute with goals and assists, as shown with the £45million summer signing of Gabriel Jesus who has scored five goals and provided a further seven assists this season. Bukayo Saka has a similar record as the Brazilian with five goals and six assists in all competitions for the Gunners, having registered 12 goals and seven assists last term as Arsenal's most productive player.
Gakpo has 30 goal contributions in just 24 appearances for PSV so far this term highlighting his amazing ability to both score and provide assists on a consistent basis, whilst his physical attributes set him apart from the attackers at Arteta's disposal currently. The 23-year-old is 6ft 2ins tall making him an aerial threat, shown by his brilliant header past Edouard Mendy, whilst he still possesses electric pace and an amazing ability to dribble with the ball.
The mixture of all of these qualities makes him one of the most clinical and dangerous attackers in Europe, registering more goal contributions than the impressive Erling Haaland at Manchester City. Arsenal will surely make a move for Gakpo should the like of Manchester United look to act on their interest and the Dutch talent has everything needed to excel in the English top flight.
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