Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may look to a star for the future this January transfer window.placeholder image
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may look to a star for the future this January transfer window. | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal have been urged to sign a Man United star who tormented Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates.
It was a record-breaking summer transfer window for the Premier League with Arsenal more than matching the big-spenders.
Mikel Arteta finally got the centre-forward that he had been looking for after too many second-place finishes made it clear that someone who can score goals on a regular basis could be the difference between getting over the line or another disappointing season. There were several available with Vitkor Gyokeres’ incredible scoring record at Sporting Lisbon proving to be the decisive factor.
Arsenal told to make Man United transfer move
Arsenal had seen several names linked like Victor Osimhen, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, however, according to a Gunners legend, it is a known Premier League quantity that should have been signed and who would be perfect for how Arteta plays. Speaking to talkSPORT, Petit was asked which player Arsenal should sign as they look to end their Premier League trophy drought.
To this, the French World Cup winner immediately replied: “Yesterday I saw exactly what I thought about this player against Arsenal, it's Mbeumo. I think in terms of movement, he's very intelligent. He's got this flair in front of the goal. He's very good in terms of assists as well. I love his work rate. I love his behaviour on the pitch, technically, mentally as well.
“But more importantly, I like his movement, the link with his players all the time. He brings something different up front. He's not that physical, but in the meantime he puts everything he has on the pitch. But I love him because he's very intelligent. When I saw Manchester United buy him in the last transfer market, I thought, this is a good bargain."
Could Arsenal get Robin van Persie revenge?
Man United were linked with Mbeumo for almost the whole of the summer before finally sealing a deal. For the same price that Arsenal paid for Gyokeres, they could have had Mbeumo and landed a double threat player.
The Ivory Coast international is more commonly used off the right but he has shown, to Arsenal’s cost, how effective he can be through the middle. Not only does he have Gyokeres’ power and athleticism, he has more pace and has consistently scored goals in the Premier League.
The alure of Gyokeres’ goal scoring record was understandable, however, there were red flags in terms of doubts about how he would adapt to Arsenal’s system and style of play. The long and short of it is that the 27-year old still looks out of place trying to link play.
Petit is right, someone with Mbeumo’s profile would be perfect for Arsenal. They signed Robin van Persie to win the league under Sir Alex Ferguson, could Arsenal repay the favour with Mbeumo?
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