As the season draws to a close, the transfer talk around Arsenal is beginning to hot up.
The Gunners have endured a difficult campaign plagued by injury and suspension, although they remain on course for a second-place finish in the Premier League.
Arsenal were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the last four, and Mikel Arteta will no doubt be plotting how he can take his team a step further next season.
One way to do so would certainly be by adding more offensive firepower, and the Gunners continue to be linked with a host of forwards, including Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal fans urge Mikel Arteta to sign Marcus Rashford
Many of the options on Arsenal’s supposed shortlist are flawed in some way or another, and thus, the Gunners will have to keep their options open and not put all their eggs in one basket.
Arsenal were linked with Marcus Rashford in January, and some fans now want the club to revisit this link.
Rashford has enjoyed a somewhat successful loan spell at Aston Villa in the backend of this season, although reports suggest he’ll be available on the market again in the summer for £40 million, and the Villans won’t have first refusal.
Writing on X, one fan put forward the idea of Rashford to Arsenal: “£40m for a homegrown player who solves some of our transition, ball-striking, pace, and X-factor issues overnight. Can play right across the front line.
“20 G/A this season, more than Trossard and Martinelli in fewer minutes, & everyone in the squad than Saka. Better G/A per minute than Havertz, our top scorer.
“He’s only been in a functioning system since February. This is the sort of deal that frees you up to do everything else you need. Arsenal do not have time to wait for every attacker to develop.
“I’m sorry, but we should be all over this, and I will never stop banging the drum. 30-goal seasons don’t grow on trees – Martinelli got literally half, 15, in his fabled 22/23.”
Arsenal fans swept into the replies to agree with the initial post.
One fan wrote: “Agreed. Would be perfect for us.”
Another added: “I think we’re on an island here, but I’ll never stop wanting Rashford in our squad.”
Arsenal should not sign Marcus Rashford this summer
While Rashford has certainly performed at a high level in the past, he’s not been able to display that level on a consistent basis for a few years.
Reportedly earning around £225,000 a week, the England international would presumably expect to retain these wages on a lengthy contract, while Manchester United also want £40 million for him.
Financially, it would be a reckless investment for a player who will turn 28 in October, and whose best days are behind him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold once described Rashford as ‘underrated’ when speaking to talkSPORT, but arguably the opposite is now true.
Scoring 13 goals in 58 Premier League appearances since the start of last season, the versatile forward arguably hasn’t produced anywhere near enough for some time to be worshipped by some in the way he is.
On top of these underwhelming surface-level statistics, Rashford’s underlying metrics have looked mediocre for some time.
This is one that Arsenal should steer clear of.
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