Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has urged the Gunners to make a move for PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands star Cody Gakpo over Joao Felix in January, "even if it costs £100million". It comes ahead of what could be a potentially busy January transfer window for the Gunners in their title pursuit.
Mikel Arteta's side will return to the Premier League in first, five points clear of current champions Manchester City after an electric start to the campaign. They may not be the same side though, especially given the injury to Gabriel Jesus in the World Cup, which is set to keep him out for up to three months after knee surgery.
When asked if the injury changes plans for January, Arteta responded: "No. We know that he needed some intervention in the knee and we have to take day by day, week by week and see where that takes us. What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much."
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Forwards have continued to be linked though, with Atletico Madrid striker Felix being one of those that could make the switch after some difficulties with the Spanish giants. However, Merson believes that Gakpo from PSV would be the better option to sign in the coming window.
He told the Daily Express: "Arsenal have got to go and get Cody Gakpo after Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury. They’ve got to go and get someone. They’ve got a free swing.
"If [Jesus] is out for up to three months as some reports suggest, they will be out of the top four, let alone the Premier League title race. They need to go and get someone. This is the first time since 2004 that they’ve had a serious, serious chance of winning the title. If they carry on doing what they’re doing they’ll get in the top four and they would get all of their money back anyway from qualifying for the Champions League.
"I'd get Gakpo, he’s lively and scores goals. I would take him over Joao Felix, all day long. It doesn’t matter if it costs £100million. You get this chance once in a blue moon."
It remains to be seen if the move will be made by the Gunners to help solve their forward options after the injury to Jesus. However, the decision is quite possibly a season defining one.
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