Bradley Barcola will face Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, the club he rejected in favour of a £123m summer move to Liverpool. The France international had been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates throughout the year before completing his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of August, becoming the second most expensive signing in Liverpool's history.
Liverpool waited all summer to land their attacking target, bringing in the forward to bolster Andoni Iraola's front-line following Mohamed Salah's departure. Arsenal, despite their status as Premier League champions and Champions League finalists, were left without a marquee attacking addition.
Arsenal's summer struggles
The Gunners were linked with several big-name forwards as they looked to strengthen their options. Barcola was high on their wanted list, but the Frenchman favoured Liverpool after the Reds' in-depth groundwork, while Arsenal were not prepared to match their offer. Vinicius Junior also turned them down to sign a new contract with Real Madrid, Julian Alvarez rejected their advances in pursuit of a Barcelona move, and Morgan Rogers chose Chelsea.
Despite the sales of Gabriel Martinelli to Al-Hilal, Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and Gabriel Jesus to Barcelona, Christos Tzolis was the only attacking addition to Mikel Arteta's squad, following a £34m switch from Club Brugge. The Gunners sit second in the Premier League with the meanest defence but have scored 13 goals, leaving them shy in attack.
Injury concerns for Arsenal
Tzolis started the season on the left but suffered a hamstring injury during the last international break, leading to trials for Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke in the position. Bukayo Saka is ruled out with a thigh injury, and Madueke is a doubt after covering for Saka in the win over Everton. With teenager Max Dowman suspended and Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres struggling for goals, Arsenal's attacking options are thin.
Discounting Saka, Arsenal's attacking players have five goals between them in the Premier League and Champions League this season. Liverpool have scored fewer Premier League goals (11), but their attack looks healthier. Alexander Isak, Victor Munoz and Cody Gakpo, who have all missed games through injury, account for nine of those goals, while Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Lewis Koumas add five in Europe.
Barcola's impact at Liverpool
Barcola is yet to score in the Premier League but has assisted Isak in each of Liverpool's last two league games against Brentford and Brighton. Liverpool lost Salah on a free transfer and missed out on a natural successor on the right flank, but they enhanced their attack with Barcola and Munoz. Arsenal weakened their own hand, losing three attacking players and bringing in only Tzolis.
Arteta will hope Tzolis and Madueke are fit to face Liverpool, but the Gunners' front-line lacks a certain something. Liverpool's patience in signing Barcola at Arsenal's expense has been rewarded, and the Reds, with three £100m+ forwards, will be eager to prove the £123m signing was worth every penny against the side he spurned. A draw would take Arsenal top, but a Liverpool victory could see Iraola's side considered title contenders. Barcola now has the opportunity to justify his transfer decision and show Arsenal what they are missing.
