Jamie Carragher says £123m Liverpool star could’ve been perfect for Arsenal
Arsenal’s transfer window left some fans disappointed when it slammed shut on Tuesday night.
The Premier League champions bolstered their midfield with Bruno Guimaraes and shored up the defence with Ezri Konsa.
But many still believe they’re a bit short in attack. Ian Wright thinks Arsenal should have signed Morgan Rogers.
Now Jamie Carragher has named another player he thinks would have been perfect for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Jamie Carragher explains why Arsenal should’ve signed Bradley Barcola
Speaking on Stick to Football, Carragher was asked which player from this summer’s window could have fitted what Arsenal need.
“I’m happy it didn’t happen… I was looking at the Barcola thing,” he said. “And I was looking at him thinking, for me, Arsenal need like… left wing has always felt, out of their attack, the four attackers, left wing has always felt to me like a little bit of a drop compared to like Saka, Odegaard, Havertz.
“And the new kid you got there made a decent start. But the longer the Barcola thing went on, and then Arsenal didn’t get to Vinicius Jr, or Alvarez, you was thinking, is that not the one?”
Obviously, Carragher is glad that didn’t happen. Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola from PSG for £123million, and the last thing he wants is the winger lighting up the Emirates instead of Anfield.
It is interesting, though. Strange, rather. Barcola would’ve no doubt improved Arsenal in that area of the pitch.
The Frenchman may not be the most reliable goalscorer, but he has the sort of explosive pace Arsenal are lacking in attack, even more so since selling Gabriel Martinelli.
It’s odd that Arsenal didn’t go in for him after missing out on Rogers and Vinicius. As Premier League champions, surely they could’ve convinced him to join.
Although, Liverpool did make Barcola feel like the one player they really wanted. Whereas Arsenal’s pursuit never quite communicated that level of certainty.
Andrea Berta’s ‘spinning plates’ negotiation strategy is said to have frustrated several clubs this summer, and it may have even left the player feeling like he wasn’t truly Arsenal’s priority.
£123million is a lot of money. Of course it is. But Carragher, and Arsenal fans — if they’re being honest — know Barcola would’ve been a great signing.
