Paul Merson has given a warning to Wilfried Zaha, telling the Crystal Palace winger to stick with the Eagles amid reported interest from Arsenal to avoid become a 'bit-part player'.
The Ivorian international has scored four goals in his eight Premier League games so far this season and, having been consistently linked with a move North of the river through the years, could be subject to more interest this January as Arsenal seek competition for Gabriel Martinelli in their title challenge.
Liverpool are said to have joined the race to sign the south London-born star whose contract expires next summer, but with impressive form so far this season, former Arsenal man Merson has told the 29-year-old to think twice before making a move to one of the Premier League's so-called 'top six' clubs.
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The former Arsenal and England midfielder was writing in his Daily Star column and told the former Manchester United man that he could face a similar fate to what he experienced at Old Trafford in an ill-fated spell between 2012 and 2015 where he never became a first team regular.
Merson explained: "Wilfried Zaha plays every week at Crystal Palace. He can have a bad game and still start the following match and that might not happen at a Big Six club.
"I think he should seriously consider his options before running down his contract. He's a legend at Palace and the manager loves him. I see someone like Arsenal coming in for him if they get into the Champions League but do you go there and risk becoming a bit-part player?
"You're then going on a free. It's not like you're Darwin Nunez, who cost £85m and therefore has to play. Will he want to play for one week and then drop to the bench? I'm just not sure whether the grass is going to be greener for Zaha. He's playing the best football of his career and there is a reason for that. He needs to sit down and have a big think about his future."
With his contract expiring next year, he could be seen as a bargain option for any top clubs and the forward's versatility has placed him on the Gunners' radar, according to The Express. However, Palace boss Patrick Vieira has said that he will do everything in his power to keep Zaha at the club.
He said: "There is speculation on all good players at the end of their contract. All we can do is show him the love we have for him. The way he's been playing, I think he's sending back the love as well.
"There is no trouble or losing energy on that situation. We know how important he is for us and I think he understands that he's a big player at this football club. We expect a lot from him and Wilfried loves to have that kind of pressure on his shoulders.
"We will see what will happen, but we will do everything now to keep him at our football club."
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