Mikel Arteta given Ian Wright blessing to pursue transfer interest in 20-year-old set for ‘huge career’
Mikel Arteta has been told by Ian Wright he will be signing a player destined to enjoy an “unbelievable career” if the Arsenal boss follows through with transfer interest in a talented playmaker.
The Gunners are enjoying a great season under the Spaniard’s leadership. Arsenal currently sit nicely in fourth place after Arteta’s young side – with the core of their side under 25 – revelling under his management. Indeed, the north London side currently enjoy a three-point buffer on fifth-placed Tottenham, and also have a game in hand.
Finishing in the Champions League places would represent an excellent season for Arsenal. The £120m or so they shelled out last summer was called into question, especially after losing their first three games of the campaign.
However, the likes of Ben White, Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale – to name a few – have all being in great form this season. And despite Piers Morgan throwing a recent tantrum over the sale of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal have got most things right on the transfer front.
As such, planning for the summer window is well underway. Top of their wanted list will be at least one new striker. Indeed, with Eddie Nketiah and, quite possibly, Alexandre Lacazette on course to depart, Arsenal need more options.
The Gunners boss though is also looking to add more quality to his midfield areas. He’s been linked with a move for Philippe Coutinho, with the Brazilian catching the eye on loan at Aston Villa.
However, a more affordable option is most definitely Michael Olise.
The Crystal Palace playmaker has enjoyed an impressive first season as a Premier League regular.
Michael Olise may replace Saka at Arsenal this summer
Arsenal are looking at Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise to replace Bakayo Saka this summer.
Having moved in an £8.75m switch from Reading, Olise has hit the ground running. Indeed, flourishing under the management of Patrick Vieira, he has four goals and nine assists so far.
As such, it’s easy to see why Arsenal reportedly want to reunite Olise with the a Gunners star he regularly went up against as a kid.
Any such deal would likely now cost the Gunners in excess of £20m.
Ian Wright a big fan of Olise
That said, former Gunners striker Wright has seen at first hand what Olise is capable of.
And while he would not want to see Palace lose an emerging talent, he understand exactly why Arsenal are admirers.
“When you watch what Zaha brings to the team, Wilf is what 29 now? Here you are talking about a youngster that has a massive future,” Wright told ITV Sport.
“When you look at what he does in the final third. Go and do what you want. He is going to be somebody that is going to do unbelievable things.
“He has just been called up to the U21s in France. But he deserves that.”
Olise’s ability to carry the ball and open up play would certainly suit Arsenal’s style; hence Arteta’s interest.
