Arsenal told to target ex-Liverpool star after Arteta admission
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged his former club to sign ex-Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta admitted in his Friday press conference that he would be looking for midfield “options” in January as they are “very, very short” in that area.
Thomas Partey is on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to join Roma on loan for the rest of the season.
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Wijnaldum has been linked with a loan move to the Emirates and Wright believes the Paris Saint-Germain star – who moved to the Parcs des Princes in the summer – would be an “amazing” signing for the club.
The 31-year-old was a favourite of Jurgen Klopp in his time at Anfield, racking up over 200 appearances for the club and playing a key role in winning the Champions League and Premier League in back-to-back seasons.
Wright said on The Kelly and Wrighty Show (via Metro): “I saw Wijnaldum’s name [linked with Arsenal]. That would be amazing. A loan signing from PSG.
“Someone like that in the midfield. Of that experience. He is a Premier League winner. Just to help with the youngsters and a Sambi Lokonga just to keep it going.
“Then, they can add to the squad and, all of a sudden, Arsenal can start challenging and challenging seriously.”
After a disappointing start to the season, Arsenal are now fourth in the Premier League table.
Champions League qualification will be the priority, but Arsenal will also hope to go on a cup run and face Championship side Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
“Of course, we want it and we have an incredible history related to this competition, but we have to go game-by-game,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.
“Every game in this competition is extremely difficult, we’re going to go to Forest, we know the atmosphere that we’re going to face, the team that we’re going to play and you have to go step-by-step if you want to get any further.”
