Former goalkeeper David Seaman is not convinced that Arsenal should attempt to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Pedro Neto for some time now.
Journalist Charles Watts is convinced that Neto would be “perfect” for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is also thought to be an admirer of the Portuguese attacker.
It is easy to see what the Spanish coach sees in the 23-year-old. Neto is blessed with extreme pace, possesses excellent technical ability, has flair in his game, and produces end product. So far this season, across all competitions, Neto has scored 3 goals and racked up 11 assists in 19 appearances.
The 5-cap Portugal international is also versatile enough to play one either flank, meaning he could provide competition and cover for both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. As a left-footer, comfortable on the right, Neto represents a particularly good option to rotate with Saka, as as things stand there is not another player of that profile in the Arsenal squad who can replicate the Hale End academy graduate’s tactical function on the pitch.
However, it is precisely because of the presence of Saka and Martinelli that David Seaman would be reluctant to see Neto arrive at the Emirates Stadium. When asked on his Seaman Says podcast if Arsenal should sign Neto this summer, the iconic former shot-stopper said, “would I take him at Arsenal? When you look at what’s in there already, you know, you don’t really want to disrupt that.”
Pedro Neto can provide the push that Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli need
Arteta and many Arsenal fans may argue that controlled disruption can be a positive thing in a dressing room, as it negates the danger of players becoming too comfortable. Even the north London club’s best players, of which Saka and Martinelli are certainly two, need to pushed and kept on their toes. They also can’t play every minute of every match, and could easily succumb to a long-term injury.
Top quality back up and competition is needed for these vital positions. Despite his best efforts, Reiss Nelson is clearly not of the standard required to provide that, in Arteta’s eyes at least, as he is scarcely used and has not started in the Premier League at all yet this season.
Neto would provide the level of back up that is needed, and given his quality and youthfulness, could even come to usurp either Saka or Martinelli in the pecking order, in time. In any case, there is a strong argument to be made that any disruption Neto might bring with him to the Emirates Stadium would be welcome.
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