REUTERS/Jon Nazca
Arsenal spent much of the summer transfer window chasing a move for a new left-winger to strengthen their squad, but after letting go of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, only Christos Tzolis arrived.
The Gunners were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years and reached the Champions League final, but Mikel Arteta was adamant that they could bolster the team in attack to take the squad to the next level.
Morgan Rogers was the top target before he opted for Chelsea instead, while the club worked very hard on bringing in Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid before he decided to renew his contract at the Bernabeu instead. Arteta then switched his attention to a move for Julian Alvarez as a central striker instead, but that deal couldn't get done either.
That has meant that the club have gone into the squad with limited numbers in attack, especially on the left-wing, and that has left the door open for a potential arrival in the January transfer window.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, one star who has emerged as a potential target is Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha, whose situation is being looked at closely at the Emirates Stadium.
Ngumoha likes to play on the left and cut in on his right foot, but is likely to find game time in that position hard to come by at Anfield this season. Cody Gakpo stayed at the club despite strong transfer interest from Man City and Tottenham in the summer, while the Reds also splashed £123m to bring in Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 18-year-old, who has been described as a 'superstar', is considered to be the future at Liverpool, and they will be highly unlikely to want to sell the forward, despite strong interest.
But Ngumoha will want to play regularly to continue his fine development over the last 12 months, and despite signing a five-year deal to tie him to the club until 2031 during the summer, Arsenal being able to make him an offer that would see him play more often could be something that is very appealing to him.
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Ngumoha Can Be England's Vini Jr
Reuters
It's clear that when Arsenal were looking at left-wing options, and especially Vinicius Jr, that they wanted someone who can join the team and make an immediate impact, and win games on their own.
Ngumoha may not be at that level yet, but his talent is undeniable and it's evident that he will get there one day if he continues to be provided with the opportunities to do so.
Arsenal have made it a habit to create that pathway for young players under Mikel Arteta in recent years, with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman becoming regulars in the first-team squad despite being teenagers.
Ngumoha could do the very same thing, and Arsenal could create their own Vini Jr for their left wing for the next decade if they can get this deal over the line.
peter schmeichel ruben amorim
peter schmeichel ruben amorim