**Bradley Barcola has been warned that choosing Liverpool over Arsenal is a major risk at this stage of his career.**
Former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly said that Arsenal would have been a better choice this summer.
_“At Arsenal, he’d be protected,”_ he said. _“It would be more a case of, come and join the squad, and get your minutes according to what the coach wants._
_“I’d say Liverpool is the more high-profile move, but it’s also more of a risk._
_“If your ego can handle being brought into the system properly, go to Arsenal. They’ll take care of you, and you’ll still play at the highest level with the Gunners.”_
Meanwhile, former Arsenal right back Bacary Sagna also thinks Liverpool is a risky choice for Barcola.
“_Well, Liverpool didn’t have the best season last year, for different reasons of course,”_ Sagna said.
_“For him, to join the team now, I don’t think it would be a good career choice, especially after winning so much with Paris._
_“Liverpool is one of the most important and respected English clubs. To play for them is something special. But the team seems to be a bit sick and recovering from the last season they had._
_“They will get back to their best, but I’m not sure a move right now is the best one for Barcola.”_
Barcola would have been exactly what Arsenal need
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I must admit I am surprised that Arsenal didn’t make a bigger push to sign Barcola, given that the Frenchman is exactly what their team lacks. For all their defensive and midfield stability, the Gunners lack a truly elite winger.
Bukayo Saka is very good, but his injury history makes him an unreliable option at times, while Barcola offers the pace, goal threat and creativity that Mikel Arteta’s team has lacked.
The good news for Liverpool, however, is that signing Barcola brings them a step closer to returning to a position to challenge for the league title again.
That said, there are so many other issues in Andoni Iraola’s squad that they will not be in the title conversation this season unless something truly miraculous happens in the final days of the transfer window.