Arsenal saw off Inter Milan at the start of the year but Mikel Arteta was hugely impressed with their young Italian striker, Pio Esposito, who made a substitute cameo
Mikel Arteta has set his sights on Inter Milan's young striker after seeing him against Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has set his sights on Inter Milan's young striker after seeing him against Arsenal(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has become a huge admirer of Inter Milan young gun Pio Esposito after seeing him up close in a Champions League clash in January - leading to a call being put in to the Italians.
The Gunners saw off the Serie A giants 3-1 at the San Siro earlier this year, but Arteta came away massively impressed by their 20-year-old forward. Esposito has reportedly ‘remained in the eyes and thoughts’ of Arteta and he asked his sporting director, Andrea Berta, to learn more about him.
Esposito came on in place of Lautaro Martinez in the 63rd minute and impressed during his cameo performance. Such was Esposito’s impact, Arteta even felt the need to send on Gabriel for Cristhian Mosquera, who had endured a difficult time containing the attacker.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Berta ‘quickly contacted’ Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio to see whether Esposito was for sale and at what price. But the Italians hit back with a firm rejection, highlighting that the striker was central to their future plans.
The report adds that Inter made it clear there was ‘no chance’ of a closing a deal for the Italian international. Esposito himself is thought to be very happy at the San Siro and is not even considering the prospect of leaving Inter.
Inter boss Christian Chivu previously said on his frontman: "Despite being so young, he handles the pressure well, he can also handle the physical duel on the pitch, and works hard for the team. I’m very pleased with how he is doing." He also added: "The strikers complete each other... Pio can do a bit of everything: I'm happy for him."
Arsenal are not short of firepower having spent big again in the summer, which allowed them to land the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze. They added to a forward line that already includes Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
Pio Esposito made an impression off the bench against the Gunners
Pio Esposito made an impression off the bench against the Gunners
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Despite the quality that exists at the Emirates they remain short of an elite goalscorer, the likes of which is possessed by some of their rivals. At present that isn't halting their ambitions and winning the quadruple remains on the cards for the north Londoners this season.
Gyokeres is the only player to hit double figures for the Gunners this term, but more was expected of him in front of goal. Esposito has scored seven times in 36 outings for Inter, with the majority of his opportunities coming from the bench as he works his way up the pecking order.