Arsenal fans told to be 'relieved' as Chelsea's £88m man criticised

A former Arsenal transfer target has been heavily criticised with his critic suggesting any Gunners fans will be relieved he was ultimately swept up by a Premier League rival. The former Aston Villa and England forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has called out Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk's recent performances, admitting that he believes many Arsenal fans should be grateful he Ukrainian remains nothing more than a former target and not a current player.

Arsenal were strongly linked with a move for Mudryk last year before the winger moved to Stamford Bridge. ESPN reported that in January 2023, the Gunners were in talks with the Ukrainian international for "several weeks" before the Blues stepped up their chase and ultimately paid the £88.5 million asking price.

The talkSPORT pundit compared the 23-year-old former Shakhtar Donetsk star to Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, analysing that the former does not utilise his pace properly. Agbonlahor also commented that the £88.5m star also does not seem to be in control of the ball when he runs.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor admitted: "He runs into players if like the ball would go through them and he could sprint after it. It doesn’t work like that. This is the Premier League. The defenders are clever. They know when to back off and give you some space."

Mudryk has failed to make the impact expected from £88m during his time at Stamford Bridge. He has made nine starts and ten substitute appearances so far this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists as his side currently sit eleventh in the table. His recent form - or lack thereof - has led Agbonlahor to comment that any Emirates attendees will be grateful the board opted to pause their 'talks' with Mudryk, suggesting Martinelli is by far the preferred option.

“Even when he runs through one-on-one, you would never back him", Abgonlahor continued. "I mean, it’s like Werner, a bit like hectic, they are not in control of the ball, and Arsenal fans must be thinking, ‘Wow imagine if we had like signed him’. You look at Mudryk and Martinelli, miles difference in quality. Martinelli yesterday rips past Konate. That’s how you use your pace."