Arsenal have been linked with several midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window, and a surprise name has now been touted as a possible target.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add a midfielder who could play at the base of midfield, but he also has the option of signing a more advanced player alongside Martin Odegaard, with Declan Rice settling as a number six.
The likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi have been linked, but Arsenal icon Paul Merson has now urged his former side to sign yet another player from Chelsea.
Jorginho and Kai Havertz have become popular players after moving across London in surprise deals, and Arteta may now be tempted to add Conor Gallagher to his squad alongside them.
Paul Merson urges Arsenal to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson claimed that Gallagher would be a good option for Arsenal this summer, despite there being no transfer links between the two parties.
“If they (Chelsea) sell Conor Gallagher, it’s five steps back. I am a big Conor Gallagher fan, he gives you absolutely everything,” he stated.
“I think he gets into virtually every team, probably Man City he doesn’t get into, any other team, I think he gets into.
“I would even go as far as to say at Arsenal you would, go and get him at Arsenal where you have got Rice, Odegaard and Gallagher. He gives you everything. He gives you energy, he gives you goals and he closes down. He is a fan’s dream. Everybody wants a trier.”
Would Conor Gallagher be a good fit at Arsenal?
Although he has been one of Chelsea’s better performers this season, Gallagher is not a signing who would help take Arsenal’s midfield up another level.
The 24-year-old is an industrious midfielder who can cover a lot of ground as a number eight, but Rice has shone in that role which allows him to go forward, and restricting him to a defensive midfield role would only be worth it if a more creative player was to arrive.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho have both shone as a number six because of their ability on the ball, which stands at a much higher level than what Gallagher offers in that regard.
Arsenal’s midfield signing would ideally be a player who can interchange with Rice in both roles, and offer more physicality off the ball than Jorginho, whilst still excelling on it.
Gallagher was given a reported price tag of around £60m in January, with Tottenham Hotspur interested, and this should be enough to convince Arsenal that he is not the right option this summer.
