According to news reports circulating in England, Crystal Palace forward Wilfred Zaha has been heavily linked with the Gunners for a long time. The Ivory Coast striker is an academy product of the Eagles making the first team breakthrough in 2010.
In 2013, Wilfred Zaha joined Manchester United in 2013 but returned to Crystal Palace for a loan spell until the end of the season. Playing for the Red Devils in the 2013-14 season, the forward was highly unsuccessful.
Zaha returned to Selhurst Park for another season-long loan spell in 2014 before joining the Eagles in 2015. Since then, the Ivory Coast international has been an integral part of the Palace team.
And given his present form and the dire need of reinforcements for the Gunners, Wilfred Zaha might fit the style and bill for the Unai Emery led side.
Although, the club might have defeated their London rivals Chelsea 2-0 at the Emirates two weeks ago but, there is a definite room for improvement as regards to certain transfer deliberations around the club. Moreover, the defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of the Red Devils and last night’s PL defeat against Manchester City goes on to prove this point quite significantly.
Arsenal is in desperate need of fresh signings this January transfer window as they look forward to better days ahead in the season. More than this, the team has been hit by a cyclone of injuries with many first team players sidelined due to injuries.
Arsenal’s misery has been enhanced more likely due to the injury suffered by Danny Welbeck as the striker will be out for almost the rest of the season.
In other words, Arsenal seek to replace the English forward with the promising Wilfred Zaha. The Gunners should definitely launch a bid for the forward before other top sides do so, with some EPL giants keen for the player’s signature.
However, with the transfer window shut for now, we evaluate the reasons why Arsenal must sign the Ivorian star in the summer transfer window.
Champions League Pursuit
The Gunners require top quality additions to the side and Wilfred Zaha suits the bill perfectly as he has shown in the Premier League for Crystal Palace time and time again.
The player will provide Unai Emery’s side, the attacking impetus required to compete effectively in the Premier League as well as Champions League.
The interesting thing here is that Zaha will be available for Arsenal’s European competitions, most likely Europa League, given their current position in the league table.
This provides the London side with more ammunition as they seek to force their way into the Champions League either from the Premier league or through Europa League Football.
Wilfred Zaha Will Provide New Attacking Dimension
The Gunner will be doing themselves a huge favour if they can secure the services of Wilfred Zaha when the transfer window reopens in July.
With the possibility of both Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan available for selection next season, coupled with forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the prospect of adding Zaha to the mix will be a welcome development for the supporters.
Wilfred Zaha will offer the club a new attacking incision going forward as the London side is in absolute need of more wide players.
The Renaissance of Gervinho’s Memories
The signing of Wilfred Zaha will be an interesting feature in the Premier League, more so for Arsenal if it’s achieved. This will bring back positive memories at the club giving a recap of the performances of his Ivorian compatriot, Gervinho at the Emirates.
The former Ivorian star Gervinho, now at Serie A side Parma, will be massively remembered because of his national teammate, if the move went through.
Zaha possesses the same kind of traits and (ball movement) characteristics like that of Gervinho and it will be great to see if the Crystal Palace man can reach the same heights as was reached by Gervinho.
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