According to reports in England, Arsenal are eyeing a shock move for in-form Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford this summer. The North London side have identified the English winger as a serious target to upgrade their attacking line.

Marcus Rashford is the most in-form player in the world right now, having scored more goals than anyone after the FIFA World Cup 2022. He has scored 16 goals in 17 games, besides assisting 6 times, after returning from Qatar, the most by any player in Europe.

It’s just February, and the 25-year-old is already past his previous best goal-scoring tally in a single season. The forward has had 33 goal contributions, 24 goals and 9 assists, so far this season (Stats via Transfermarkt). He also starred for the England national team at the Qatar World Cup, scoring 3 goals in 5 appearances.

Currently, the Red Devils are the only Premier League team competing in four competitions. Subsequently, they have also played the most number of matches and it looks like the English attacker will have very little time to rest till the end of the season.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal are monitoring England striker Marcus Rashford because of the unpredictability over his contract negotiations at Manchester United. The Red Devils triggered the one-year extension clause in his contract, which will keep him at the club till 2024, for now.

United manager Erik ten Hag has no intention to sell the forward. However, uncertainty hangs over the player’s contract situation and the Gunners are looking to capitalise on it. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Marcus Rashford, and understandably so.

The North London side tried signing the 25-year-old last summer, after the player had a horrific season and was ready to explore his options. Arteta made contact with Rashford’s camp but the move fell through as the player changed his mind and rightfully so.

🚨 Arsenal plotting stunning move for Rashford, there's one reason why transfer could happen pic.twitter.com/0CgzeM6hTs

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) February 16, 2023

It seems as if everything that the England international is trying to do on the pitch at the moment is working out in his favour. Ten Hag has certainly made the forward a beast, and the Dutch manager hasn’t even completed a full year at Old Trafford yet.

Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus as their answer to improve their attack. However, the Brazilian has not been able to stay on the pitch because of a long-term injury. The forward line is dividing the responsibility of scoring goals but they do not have a man who can lead from the front or someone they can feed the ball to.

Why Trying to Sign Marcus Rashford is a Bad Idea for Arsenal?

Manchester United will be in no intention to sell the current best player in the world. Moreover, the Red Devils are challenging for trophies this season and can do even better next season. This is the perfect environment for Marcus Rashford to thrive and he will not choose any other option rather than staying at Old Trafford for a longer time.

The Gunners have Gabriel Martinelli playing on the left-hand side on a regular basis. He is only 21-years-old but is the starter on the left-wing. The Brazilian, in a few years’ time, could reach the level the United attacker is currently performing at. The output might not be in terms of goals but in terms of chances that Martinelli creates or the mistakes he forces from the opposition.

If Arsenal do sign Marcus Rashford, it might impact Gabriel Martinelli’s game-time and development severely. The Brazilian will no longer be a regular starter and could suffer from a lack of form because of it. On the other hand, if Arteta opts to play the Englishman upfront, then it will be either him or Jesus in the starting lineup.

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Bringing the 25-year-old to Emirates Stadium could disturb the balance the North London side currently have in the squad. Nevertheless, it is almost certain that Rashford will deliver wherever he goes considering the form he is in right now.

The Gunners should look at options who won’t be definite starters right now, but can work their way into the starting lineup. This could help them increase the quality of the first-team, while also providing healthy competition to the starting XI.

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