Mikel Arteta's search for a world-class left winger has a clear target, with former Arsenal defender Gilles Grimandi naming PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the Spaniard's dream signing. Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka has come under fire from Carlton Cole, who labelled the winger a 'passenger' in the Gunners' side.
Arsenal are preparing for a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening. The English champions, who reached last season's European final, face the German champions, who Vincent Kompany led to the semi-finals, in the league phase.
Narrow Win Over Forest
The trip to Bavaria follows a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Noni Madueke's deflected strike proved decisive on Sunday, as Mikel Arteta's side needed a stroke of luck to make their possession count and take all three points.
The result moved Arsenal to within three points of Manchester City, who sit top of the Premier League table. After their European fixture, Arsenal return to league action with a home game against Everton.
Kvaratskhelia Identified as Ideal Target
Grimandi claims Kvaratskhelia is the player Arteta would love to sign, though he admits it is unlikely the PSG winger will be lured away from the European champions.
The Gunners sold both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the summer, with the expectation that a ceiling-raising forward would arrive alongside £34m signing Christos Tzolis, who was always intended as a back-up option. However, Arsenal failed in their pursuit of several primary targets, including Vinicius Junior and Kenan Yildiz, leaving them short of a standout forward. Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have been used on that flank instead.
Speaking to Goal, Grimandi said: "This guy is special. He's special because he's always good in the big games and last season, every time when the competition was getting close to the end, he was getting better and better.
"He has fantastic commitment; he's running, he's defending, and when he gets the ball in the final third, he's very efficient. For me, he's a special guy.
"He looks like he's choosing his games because so far this season he hasn't played too many, but he just knows that he wants to be prepared for the spring time and that's his target. He knows that big games will come. He can play for any team in Europe, of course he can play for Arsenal. For me, he's one of the best players in his position."
Grimandi added: "I don't think they will do it. Now it's complicated when the guy plays in Paris because they have a huge salary and they do not need any money so it's quite complicated to pick up one of the best players and bring him to another team except if there is a problem."
Saka Criticised by Cole
Carlton Cole has slammed Bukayo Saka, calling him a passenger in Arteta's side. The 25-year-old enjoyed a fast start to the season, scoring three goals early on, but has since been largely ineffective and has squandered several chances in front of goal.
After Saka failed to score against Forest, the former Chelsea striker claimed the England international is receiving too much leniency from his manager and should have his place in the starting line-up questioned in the coming weeks.
Cole said on The Dressing Room Podcast: "We have to look at Saka, I'm not sure man, he's not doing it. I think he's a little bit of a passenger at the minute and I hope that he does come good but he's not quite there right now.
"I want him to do well and prove the haters wrong but his position is being questioned right now. You have Max Dowman and as they say, if you're good enough you are old enough.
"He's probably looking at people on the bench, thinking 'How am I not getting on and playing' because he can glide past players. That No10 role is even his position as well, so he comes on the right but I think he's better in the middle.
"But Saka gets grace all the time and I think it's unfair on the other players because every other player gets called off by the gaffer."
