Paul Merson has questioned why Arsenal have seemingly snubbed a move for a Premier League defender this summer.
It comes as the Gunners have spent big across the window so far, strengthening the core of the squad with quality in depth.
While £250 million has already been spent in the window, Arsenal are expected to sign Piero Hincapie to bolster their defence, adding yet another new signing to the backline.
That, plus some exits, should close out a pretty productive window for Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta.
However, there is one star that Arsenal have missed out on, with Paul Merson wondering how that has happened.
Paul Merson believes Arsenal should’ve signed Marc Guehi instead of Liverpool
Arsenal’s move for Hincapie should end their transfer business coming into the club, but he wasn’t the only defender on their radar.
The Gunners had previously shown an interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who has entered the final year of his deal.
While he may have been an option at one point, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that he is set to join Premier League rivals Liverpool.
For former Arsenal star Paul Merson, there are question marks surrounding whether the North London club could’ve come in for a deal.
He said on Sky Sports News: “He’s a brilliant player, it blows my mind that it’s just Liverpool.
“He gets in everyone’s team, in my opinion. People might say he wouldn’t get in at Arsenal because of the two, but he’s a great replacement.
“In this day and age, with the money we talk about, he is a cup of tea, a top centre-half, I don’t know the lad, but look at how he’s acted, he’s done his job, scored a goal yesterday, a proper professional.”
While Arsenal will have no doubt about Guehi’s quality, convincing him to join may have been another challenge.
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Arsenal may have struggled to convince Marc Guehi to join
For £35 million, Marc Guehi certainly appears to be a bit of a bargain for Liverpool, given his quality and potential to grow further.
The England international would’ve been quite the coup for Arsenal, too, but there was always going to be one key issue.
That being game time, as William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes appeared to be the guaranteed starters at the back.
Given that it is a World Cup year, Guehi will be firmly focused on earning a place in the England squad for next summer’s competition.
At Liverpool, there is nowhere near the kind of depth that Arsenal have, as one injury to a centre-back there will pave the way for a start.
There are more guarantees there, which works well for Guehi, while the Gunners have to turn to other options to bolster out their backline.
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