Merson: If Vlahović are signed, Arsenal will go from a four-four race to a title race

According to the Daily Mail, former England international and Arsenal star Paul Merson recently urged his old club to sign Vlahović, believing that this would allow the Gunners to jump from the Premier League to the title.

Last season, Vlahovic scored 21 goals in 37 Serie A games, while this season he has scored 16 in 19 Serie A appearances. Arsenal, who are currently at the top of the Premier League and have the chance to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016, face difficulties that are likely to be a serious lack of attacking candidates next season: Lacazette will leave for free after his current contract expires in June; Aubameyang's days at the club after being stripped of his captain's armband and falling out with Arteta seem to be numbered; youngster Nketia is also ready to leave because he has not been able to reach a new contract with Arsenal. All of this forced Arsenal to look for a gun in the summer transfer market.

In a personal column in the Daily Star, Merson wrote: "Aubameyang's days at Arsenal are over. Even after playing the Africa Cup of Nations, he will not come back. They should bring in Vlahović from Fiorentina in the summer because he can make them title contenders. ”

Vlahovic, 21, is reportedly not immediately willing to be transferred to London as he has been waiting for offers from big European clubs. But Merson believes he could be attracted if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League and promise to give him a big pay rise. He continued: "I've heard that he's not interested in Arsenal right now. I can understand that. But if they end up in the top four and give him a big buck, he might change his mind. ”

"Arsenal can give him playing time every week because Aubameyang will be leaving, Lacazette may be leaving, Nketiah will be. They need a top scorer and Vlahović can score. He's still young, so he should get better and better, and you don't have to waste money on a 29-year-old, downhill player. ”

Merson, who spent 12 years at Arsenal and won five trophies, also praised Arteta. Having seen the team go from losing all three games in the opening three games to now reaching the semi-finals of the Premier League and the League Cup, he firmly believes that after buying Vlahovic, the Gunners can compete with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea this season. He wrote: "I think something good is happening at Arsenal right now. Arteta let them play well, but next season they need an experienced striker. ”

"He signed a new goalkeeper, centre-back, full-back, midfielder, No. 10, growing winger – a proper centre-forward, probably a missing part. I'm not saying they can win the league if they buy Vlahovic, but at least they have a chance to turn the Premier League title race into a game of four teams. ”

(Felix Cat)