If you thought Arsene Wenger was tight at Arsenal, then Unai Emery is even worse…
Arsenal has never been one to spend the big bucks in the transfer window. This has especially been the case since Stan Kroenke bought the majority shares in Arsenal Holdings Plc. That said, they have been rather strategic in recent windows, especially last summer when they brought in Lucas Torreira, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Matteo Guendouzi, Bernd Leno and Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Unai Emery’s first five signings, with the exception of Lichtsteiner, were good ones. They integrated into the squad well and they’re looking like first-team regulars now. However, how long will this impressive transfer business last?
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Well, according to The Sun, Arsenal is not willing to meet Crystal Palace’s valuation of Wilfried Zaha. The Gunners deem the Ivorian to be valued at £40m, but Palace want double that. And rightly so, because Zaha was one of the best players outside of the top six this season.
Crystal Palace finished this season on a high, even beating Arsenal. Zaha was on the scoresheet in this match, which gave Unai Emery the perfect opportunity to scout his playing style. Zaha is a wide player, although he is more than able to cut inside. He has a good eye for the pass on him, although his main traits revolve around his flair and ability to beat his man with ease.
Arsenal is in desperate need of a wide forward. It was shown at Borussia Dortmund that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang thrives when working alongside a winger or two. With the Gabon international lifting the Premier League golden boot this season, just imagine how fierce he would be with a winger playing into his feet.
Zaha is the ideal man for The Gunners. Not only does he have all the traits they crave, but he is also a good man to have behind the scenes. Arsenal has a good squad harmony right now, one of the best it’s been in the last decade. Zaha would fit right in with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin and Matteo Guendouzi.
Do you think Wilfried Zaha will be an Arsenal player next season?