Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has sent a message to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, calling on his previous club to make a move for Southampton's James Ward-Prowse in the summer transfer window.
Ward-Prowse is set to leave the south coast amid rumoured interest from West Ham, Newcastle, and Manchester United, with Premier League teams preparing to line-up bids for the Saints skipper.
The 27-year-old playmaker is hot property on the transfer market after another impressive season in the Premier League that saw him called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad.
Writing in his column for The Mirror, Merson said: 'Arsenal cannot allow West Ham to buy James Ward-Prowse.
'I think he is a great signing for whoever gets him. I think he is one of the best passers of the ball in England.
'Him and Trent Alexander-Arnold see things few other English players do and they can spray it around the pitch because they have such a good range of passing.
'I don't understand why Arsenal are not pulling out all the stops to try and take James Ward-Prowse from Southampton,' he said.
Arsenal have been busy with incomings since the transfer window opened, bringing in Matt Turner, Marquinhos, and yesterday agreeing a ยฃ30million deal with Porto for Fabio Vieira.
The club are planning to make more player signings despite failing to qualify for the Champions League last season as the board looks to help Arteta in adding more quality and depth to their existing squad.
Set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse scored 11 goals in all competitions last season and was the shining light in a disastrous Southampton side that finished just five points above the relegation zone.
Ralph Hassenhutl's side are expected to demand a hefty fee for their top talent with a potential bidding war between numerous clubs on the cards.
Merson further commented on Ward-Prowse saying: 'Arsenal need to buy experience and they would be buying an experienced England international who knows the Premier League and would make a huge difference to them.
'They are crying out for a player who can spray the ball around from the middle of the pitch.
Cotclmrst
0
anything arsenal like they should do , Newcastle United must Surly replace Arsenal in top 6 ๐ง
chelsea would replace Newcastle United
vesadintu
0
Hell no. another overhyped English player
He has scored more free kicks than beckam he is great
Unai Emary
0
imagine we have partey, bissouma, elneny in that position and in comes AFCON, we'll automatically lose all 3 to AFCON and suffer in mathes ๐ ๐..No no no, I think singing Fabio Vieira is cool and hope to add Youri tielimans. think about it Man!
it now makes sense ๐โบ๏ธ๐โบ๏ธ
tuzbcknyz
0
Arsenal will still kill his career , what happened to bellarin
bellerin actually lost interest in playing for Arsenal so his performances became poor automatically because the desire is no more there. Don't just talk about what you don't know ๐ง๐ง
tuzbcknyz
0
I wish this was Arsenal but it's a shame we have people like Edu ๐คฆin our management
[image]
imagine we have partey, bissouma, elneny in that position and in comes AFCON, we'll automatically lose all 3 to AFCON and suffer in mathes ๐ ๐..No no no, I think singing Fabio Vieira is cool and hope to add Youri tielimans. think about it Man!
tuzbcknyz
0
anything arsenal like they should do , Newcastle United must Surly replace Arsenal in top 6 ๐ง
while WestHam Utd replaces Chelsea... ๐
francis_0426
0
Arsenal lack in summer transfer they must be more selective and smart in picking up players.....not all glitters is Gold ๐
Juudekmnry
0
For sure I think that would be perfect addition
mrnyben231
0
Why hasn't Arsenal noticed Dumfries???
[image]
Arsenal will still kill his career , what happened to bellarin
mrnyben231
2
anything arsenal like they should do , Newcastle United must Surly replace Arsenal in top 6 ๐ง
Unai Emary
1
I wish this was Arsenal but it's a shame we have people like Edu ๐คฆin our management
Midcdenst
0
Soon you will hear Spurs again going for him cos it's like they don't want Arsenal to sign players ๐๐๐คฃ
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
because we don't need him
If u say so
JoslyConstante
0
Arsenal and eyeing be like
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
let me see๐ค.. maybe because he's playing for inter Milan who are in a better place than arsenal and also playing champions league football most importantly they know he'll rather eat sand and enjoy it than leave inter Milan for arsenal
Ok Visitor๐
Humancal44
0
Why hasn't Arsenal noticed Dumfries???
[image]
because we don't need him
Humancal44
0
Hell no. another overhyped English player
Sosst
1
Dont listen to him pls
Dopabcklpy
0
Why hasn't Arsenal noticed Dumfries???
[image]
let me see๐ค.. maybe because he's playing for inter Milan who are in a better place than arsenal and also playing champions league football most importantly they know he'll rather eat sand and enjoy it than leave inter Milan for arsenal
Drypenganmaster-237_
2
Why hasn't Arsenal noticed Dumfries???
Gerhard10
1
Yes Good Signing but wont cope with the speed of the kid's he will do good at Manchester United, he remind me of David Beckham
ElFuego
3
You canโt enter the race for them. T for thanks [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]