August 22nd 2024.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been on the lookout for a new midfielder to strengthen the team. And while there were initial talks of a potential £30m deal for Real Sociedad's Spain international Mikel Merino, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has suggested a bold alternative.
According to Petit, Arsenal should abandon their pursuit of Merino and instead go for former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, who is currently playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Petit believes that Kante's experience and success in the Premier League, including two league titles and a Champions League trophy, make him a more suitable target for the Gunners.
Despite Merino's impressive performances for Spain in the recently-concluded Euro 2024 tournament, Petit has reservations about the 28-year-old's ability to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. He also points out that Arsenal already have a versatile midfielder in Granit Xhaka, who has proven his resilience and determination after a difficult period with the club.
Petit suggests that Kante's versatility and work ethic would make him an ideal addition to Arsenal's squad. The 30-year-old Frenchman can play as a defensive midfielder or in a box-to-box role, and his winning mentality would be a valuable asset to the team. Petit believes that Kante's humble nature would fit perfectly with Arsenal's culture and that Arteta would love to have him on the team.
If Merino does end up joining Arsenal, he would be the club's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and David Raya, who made his loan move from Brentford permanent. The Gunners are determined to end their 17-year wait for a Premier League title and started their season on a positive note with a 2-0 win over Wolves.
But as the transfer window draws to a close, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will take Petit's advice and make an audacious move for Kante. Only time will tell if the Gunners will add the experienced and talented midfielder to their ranks, but one thing is for sure - the fans will be eagerly waiting for any updates on this potential transfer.
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