Despite Nuno Tavares looking extremely promising when he arrived at Arsenal last summer, his form became quite erratic, although he has definitely given us some hints that he can show excellent form at times.
But I think it has become clear that the Postugese left-back is just a little too green at the moment to be a reliable back up for the oft-injured Kieran Tierney, so it should be one of Mikel Arteta’s priorities to find a suitable resplacement this summer to share the job desription with Tierney, while perhps Tavares go go out on loan?
Well it seems that Arteta is considering a very surprising target for the job, the extremely versatile Cody Gakpo who has predominately played as a left winger for PSV and managed 12 goals and 13 assists in the Eredivisie this season.
At only 23 years of age, he is young enough and talented enough to become part of Arteta’s revolution, and according to an exclusive in CaughtOffide, Gakpo has been offered to both Arsenal and Chelsea.
🚨 NEW 🚨
PSV's Cody Gakpo has been offered to both #AFC 🔴 and #CFC 🔵 CaughtOffside understands.
Despite predominantly being a left-winger, both clubs have discussed the possibility to use him as a left wing-back.
PSV want no less than €30m. pic.twitter.com/azSsqDORNG
— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) June 2, 2022
Judging by his assist stats he must be a good crosser of the ball down the wing, and if happens to joining an attack from the other wing he can help by converting crosses into goals as well.
Whatever position Arteta prefers to play him in, I am sure he would be a very useful addition to the Arsenal squad….
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If we play with wing backs then I see no reason to loan out Tavares or strengthen in that area.
My main concern is how right Arteta might be about Saliba. He came on as sub last night and was given a torrid time by Cornelius who scored 2 goals whilst being marked by Saliba.
Torrid time?? It was only that goal where Cornelius was able to impressively stand his ground on the challenge Saliba gave him and finish well. He even showed good recovery pace to get back after the offside trap was destroyed by Hernandez. Apart from that he was good and is easily a starter in this team. I expect him to make some mistakes byt he should adapt
Yeah. Tavares, Tierney and Saka are great in attacking, so they’d likely thrive as LWBs
We also don’t play with a three-CB wing-back formation. Chelsea have got Hudson-Odoi as inverted LWB, so I don’t think they’d like another right-footed LWB
I bet we won’t sign Gakpo for a left wing position, because we’ve got Martinelli, Smith-Rowe and Taylor-Hart for that role. Even Nketiah and Balogun used to play there
When you are judging a player you should look at their overall individual game before stats. If we did that Pepe wouldn’t even be here in the first place. Their overall individual game is permanent and independent of league and the EPL exposes all a player’s flaws. I dont think Gakpo is good enough and even doubt he can be a LB. Aaron Hickey who we’ve been linked to is above average even from a talent point of view. I’m hoping we dont sign any of them.
Don’t pay any attention to caught offside rumours they have got to be the worse ever not sure if they have got a transfer right yet so take it as complete rubbish!
This just shows the writer of this post has little knowledge of Hallo, a Left Winger or Center Forward is what you are classifying as a backup to Tierney (Defender).
One good thing about YouTube is that it helps you watch the player videos and know what role and position they play in their team, so I think you need to watch Gakpo over there!
Never have I seen him play as a Wing back, I don’t know where you got that wingback thought from.
*Gakpo not Hallo
No. If Zinchenko is available, which seems to make sense given his contract situation, he’s a no-brainer as he gives top level cover in not only left back, but defensive midfield and in the number 8 role. I’d also say that he has a good shot at being first choice either as left back or an an 8 (regardless of what happens to Tierney or Xhaka). Gakpo, having watched him, I’d have to question whether we want him as a winger, let alone in a position that he’s not played before.
If the choice was mine to make, Zinchenko would come close, all the top teams have muscles and pace as their RB and LB, why would we get a lightweight LB to add to Oedegaard, Xhaka, Smith-Rowe,
Gakpo would be great as an 8, well he’s not been tested though,
I hope we buy strong players this time.
Let us sign Mancity Zinchenko , Leyback and a midfielder incase we need him there.
Saw him destroy Scotland in Midfield.
If GAKPO signs for us and becomes a left back, even as cover, then I will leave JA for good. That’s three possibilities in all and not one of them will happen because of GAKPO, though I am close to having had more than enough of this far too censored site, so might well decide to leave very soon anyway.
That will please the usual anti MA and relentlessly negative brigade for sure.
I will not claim, I watch the dutch league on regular basis but from the bits I have seen from this guy, he has a real talent.
He can play on the wings either side, as a striker and even as a number 10.
It would be such a waste of offensive talent, and years of investment in his youth to play him a left back or even as a wing back.
For me, he can be a perfect striker at 1.87 m, strength, ability to hold the ball under pressure in tight areas and make a good passing decision, eye for the goal, shooting skills and compsure on the finish. Of course, turning him into a striker in PL, in Arsenal is not necessarily a finger tick but certainly easier than left back.
Have anyone seen him in man marking, reverse covering a cross, defensive aerial duels or making a tackle? I mean look at Nuno, or at most left backs we had before KT, it is not an easy job.
I know, caught off side made the claim, but god, reporters would write anything to publish stories, poor journalism imo.
Sorry for the rant guys 😅😁
With all due respect this post is a little ridiculous. If you spent a bit trying to know Cody, you’ll quickly realise why.
I didn’t know Caught Offside before seeing this, but looking at that tweet, I already know they’re utter rubbish. We shouldn’t have just about any transfer idea put on here please…not when it’s this ridiculous.
There few posts here that are quite shocking at times but this one was enough to bring me outta the shadows! Left wing-back?! 😆