Despite a shock loss to West Ham in the Carabao Cup, Arsenal’s league campaign is going strong as they are yet to taste defeat. A core reason for that has been the strong recruitment that was headlined by the blockbuster signing of Declan Rice in the summer.
The Gunners are still being linked to names for the January window and another English talent is one of them. Mikel Arteta is rumoured to be mulling a move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
Former England international John Barnes believes that Guehi to Arsenal could be a fantastic move and that the English defender would give genuine competition to the duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Barnes Makes Marc Guehi Arsenal Claim
In Barnes’ view, Guehi would be a great signing for the Gunners considering his age, his profile and also his status as an England international.
Furthermore, Barnes adds that Guehi would give genuine competition to Gabriel and Saliba, which is needed for a team that wants to compete for all titles.
“He would be a great signing for Arsenal. He’s young, he’s English and is now in the national team. If you’re competing for titles you need competition for places and he can challenge the likes of Gabriel and Saliba. He wouldn’t be going there to sit on the bench because he’s good enough.”
The Liverpool legend continues by saying that if Guehi joins Arsenal, he’d have to pounce on any opportunity he gets as both Gabriel and Saliba are having fantastic seasons. Barnes does, however, believe that the Englishman is at the same level of Arsenal’s incumbent centre-backs.
“They are both also having great seasons so it’s not a question of breaking them up. It would be if he gets an opportunity to take it.
“I don’t think Gabriel nor Saliba are better than him so it comes down to opportunity. Guehi is good enough but they have Stones and Maguire ahead of him as Maguire always does well for England.
“Let’s not put too much pressure on Guehi but he’s a very good player.”
Guehi and his Crystal Palace team-mates are set to return to action this weekend, as they take on Burnley at Turf Moor, in a game they’ll fancy their chances of picking up three points from. Crystal Palace are priced at 8/5 on bet365 to come out on top against Vincent Kompany’s side, and be sure to use the bet365 bonus code when signing up, as they’re one of the best betting sites around, and have an eye-catching sign-up offer which offers a sizeable amount in free bets.
‘Rice Hasn’t Surprised Me One Bit’
The former Watford and Newcastle United star also shared that Declan Rice playing so well at Arsenal is not a surprise to him.
He elaborates on that further, praising Rice’s defensive ability which has brought a lot of balance to the Gunners.
“Rice hasn’t surprised me one bit. I knew how good a midfield player he was at West Ham.
“Especially defensively. Arsenal have Thomas Partey in there but they were very soft in that position. The balance that he brings to Arsenal to protect the back four.
“He’s there to help the likes of Odegaard. Rice is just a well rounded midfielder. He’s physical, powerful, has a great attitude and he’s technically sound. So I have no surprises with him at all.”
