Ian Wright says it would be ‘brilliant’ if Arsenal were to secure the transfer of long-term target Mykhailo Mudryk during the January transfer window, as he told Premier League Productions.
The Highbury legend pointed out that Mikel Arteta needs to dip into the market to try and find a replacement for the injured Gabriel Jesus, but he warned, that the player in question still has to ‘add’ to Arsenal’s squad when Jesus returns.
Whilst Eddie Nketiah scored during Arsenal’s 3-1 Boxing Day win over West Ham United, they can’t go so many months with the Englishman leading the line, that’s if Jesus is indeed out of action for several months.
Dominik Szoboszlai (L), Mohamed Simakan (C) of RB Leipzig, and Mykhailo Mudryk (R) of Shakhtar seen in action during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig at Marshal Jozef Pilsudski Legia Warsaw Municipal Stadium. Final score; FC Shakhtar Donetsk 0:4 RB Leipzig. (Photo by Mikolaj Barbanell/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Many names have been thrown about, but one player that is seemingly keen on that move is Shakhtar Donetsk’s rising star, Mudryk.
Ian Wright spoke about the upcoming transfer window for his former club and Mudryk’s name was thrown to him.
“I think so (Arsenal having to strengthen from a position of power),” said Wright.
On Mudryk being mentioned: “It would be great. God forbid anything happened to Eddie Nketiah now, then we would be in serious trouble. We would probably have to put Martinelli in there, but that would take away from the left side.
“With Arsenal, and what they are doing now, the trajectory they are on, they do need to get another striker because you have to compete with Liverpool, Man City and Man United. All of them.
“You have to make sure that you can get somebody in who will add to the team, not just somebody you are bringing in to replace Jesus because he is injured. Somebody who will add to the team when Jesus is there because Arsenal can’t afford to do that. We can’t afford to get the transfers wrong anymore.
“This is why I believe we can probably try and get somebody in January, if it’s Mudryk, then brilliant.”
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images
MUDRYK DUBBED ‘WORLD-CLASS’
Whilst also speaking to Premier League Productions, former England international Owen Hargreaves called Mudryk a ‘world-class’ option for those in north London.
The issue Arsenal have here is that Mudryk is inexperienced and, at 21, the Champions League stage is the biggest arena he has played on.
Plus, Mudryk prefers to play from the left, rather than through the middle which would be needed.
Either way, it seems as though the Ukraine star wants the move, it’s just a case of whether Arsenal will put the money down needed for the versatile forward.
Saka insists Nketiah and everyone else will be important to Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has lent support to Eddie Nketiah as the striker tries to fill the shoes of Gabriel Jesus, who has been injured and will be out for some time.
Nketiah only stayed at Arsenal because he did well last season and was handed a contract extension at the club.
He is now the main striker and did well in the 3-1 win against West Ham last night, finishing with one of the goals.
Saka, who has become arguably the most important player at the club, has spoken about the need for everyone to step up and fill the void left behind by Jesus.
He said via Football London:
“Gabi (Gabriel Jesus) is going to be a big miss but I’m so happy for Eddie, I feel like we all believed in him and that’s what we need to do.
“When everybody believes in him, that’s what he can do but we have to encourage him. We have me, Gabi (Gabriel Martinelli), Martin (Odegaard) and even our centre-backs chipping in with goals. Everyone is going to be so important.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Saka is spot-on. Nketiah is not the only player who needs to step up and start scoring goals for us.
Everyone must be ready to lead the way and ensure we continue to win matches because football is a team sport, and everyone must always be on the same page.
SOURCE: hitc.com
