Cody Gakpo has once again been told that Arsenal will be his best transfer destination as opposed to Manchester United with the PSV star looking likely to secure a January exit. Gakpo has backed up his superb domestic form with several scintillating performances in Qatar for the Netherlands, although their World Cup journey ended in the quarter-finals.
Louis Van Gaal's side battled back from two goals down in the final 20 minutes of their clash with Argentina to take the game to penalties, but missed spot-kicks from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis saw the Dutch crash out.
Gakpo was largely a spectator for the 113 minutes he was on the pitch with Argentina frequently stifling the Dutch attack which changed on several occasions. From the start, Steven Bergwijn was brought in for Davy Klaassen with Gakpo seemingly taking the role behind the Ajax star and Memphis Depay.
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The introduction of Steven Berghuis at half time for Bergwijn saw Gakpo pushed further forward, but he was not the striker who had the greatest impact for the Dutch. Second-half substitute Wout Weghorst netted a brace that took the game to extra time with Gakpo replaced by Noa Lang seven minutes before penalties began.
After scoring in each of the Netherland's group fixtures, Gakpo wasn't really able to get into either of his country's knockout ties and former Liverpool and Dutch forward Ryan Babel has perhaps explained, using that scenario, why a move to Arsenal over United would be better.
Speaking to Dutch outlet Soccer News, Babel said: “At United, the atmosphere is different, a bit tense and just… different, and that could influence him.
“I’m just an outsider, of course, but I don’t know if United would be the right team for Cody Gakpo,” he said, via Sport Witness.
“I’d rather think of a team like Arsenal then – or maybe even Liverpool. But I think Arsenal suits his style of play best. All young footballers together, no real star player and a good, young coach who has been a footballer himself.
“But again: of course, I am ‘only’ an outsider, so I judge only by what I see and my own experience in the Premier League. Players have to decide for themselves what they do, but Arsenal would suit him.”
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