Arsene Wenger once called him 'very intelligent', now Mikel Arteta wants him at Arsenal

Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has always had a tremendous eye for talent.

The Frenchman signed several incredible players when many people hadn’t even heard of them back in the day when he was at the helm of the Gunners.

Wenger continues to analyse players brilliantly every time he is on air as a pundit, and one player he appears to be a big fan of is suddenly a target for his beloved Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has already heaped praise on Arsenal target Jules Kounde

Jules Kounde has been on the radar of Premier League clubs for a long time.

Even when he was at Sevilla, he was linked with moves to English sides, and that interest in him hasn’t gone away after he joined Barcelona either.

Sport have now linked Arsenal with a move to sign Kounde, and he would be a very interesting signing for the North Londoners.

Arsene Wenger appears to be a big fan of his compatriot, previously hailing him for his physicality, intelligence, generosity, and also for helping Lamine Yamal become the player he is.

Wenger said about Kounde in May 2025: “Kounde is a guy, I believe, who makes Yamal strong as well. Because he is a monster physically. He is very intelligent, very generous.

“Kounde is an important player for the right centre-back and for Yamal.”

Jules Kounde could make Bukayo Saka even better at Arsenal

Arsenal need a new defender immediately, and their defeat to Borussia Dortmund made that clear.

William Saliba’s absence has seen the Gunners concede seven goals in three pre-season games so far, which is not good at all.

Signing a player like Kounde will not just allow Mikel Arteta to play him in central defence but at right-back as well, which would then allow Ben White to move inwards.

Wenger has credited the French defender for making Yamal a better player, so we think he can have a similar impact on Bukayo Saka on Arsenal’s right wing as well.

That could be a game-changer for the Gunners, but whether Arsenal can convince Barcelona to let him go remains to be seen.