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Arteta keeping an eye on Wilfried Zaha, three years after Unai Emery wanted to sign him for Arsenal
Arsenal are on the market for a new wide player and Wilfried Zaha – a player Unai Emery was once desperate to sign – has now apparently emerged as an option.
The Gunners to offload Nicolas Pepe this summer. The Ivorian is likely to join Les Aiglons on loan, and Arsenal will need a replacement if that deal goes through.
Arsenal eye move for Wilfried Zaha, three years after Unai Emery wanted him
Back in 2019, when Emery was still at the helm at Arsenal, he made it clear to the Gunners board that . It was later revealed that the two , and both parties were open to a move.
However, Crystal Palace decided not to budge on their , and Arsenal went and signed Nicolas Pepe instead for a club-record £72 million from Lille ().
After three years, it’s safe to say that Pepe hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. Many, including Emery, would argue that Zaha would’ve been the better signing in 2019, and if football journalist Dean Jones is to be believed, Mikel Arteta agrees too.
Jones revealed this week: ” In the background, there’s Wilfried Zaha for example. That deal is not moving forward at the moment. But Zaha is definitely one of those who ticks those boxes and Arsenal have had an eye on.”
Zaha has entered the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace, and although the Eagles would want to keep hold of him, there’s a chance they could accept a good offer should it come in.
TBR View:
Arsenal definitely need a new winger – preferably someone who knows the Premier League and can play on both flanks. Zaha checks those boxes.
The Ivorian, , has been fantastic for Palace over the last two seasons. He scored 15 goals in all competitions last campaign – more than any Arsenal player.
Zaha has already scored three goals this season, and he has been a huge threat. He has been desperate for a big move for years now, and if an opportunity presents itself, he will most likely take it.
However, the Crystal Palace star will turn 30 in a little over two months’ time. Signing players of that age goes completely against Arsenal’s transfer policy, which makes us wonder if Edu will even consider making a move for him this summer.
