Wilfried Zaha makes interesting claim about Arsenal interest as Gunners ‘could sell’ integral midfielder

Arsenal’s blip’ was certainly shortlived after they showed the Premier League that they remained in control as they thrashed Everton midweek. The Gunners will be hoping to replicate their performance as they host Bournemouth this afternoon,.

Arsenal are looking to secure their fourth consecutive victory in the top flight and keep their five point lead at the top of the table intact. They will be the hot favourites for another win at the Emirates Stadium today, with the Cherries taking one win since November.

Here are the latest headlines ahead of the match...

Zaha opens up on Arsenal interest

Wilfried Zaha has opened up on how close he was to joining Arsenal in 2019 prior to the arrival of Nicolas Pepe. The Crystal Palace star had held discussions over a move with Unai Emery, however the club instead opted to sign Pepe from Lille for a whopping £72 million.

Zaha has been linked with Arsenal and a number of top clubs for years, with reports claiming the Gunners are interested in signing him when his contract ends in the summer. The winger has netted six goals in the Premier League this season and could finally get his move away after his eight year stint at Selhurst Park.

Speaking on Arsenal’s pursuit in 2019 on Jamie Carragher’s The Greatest Games podcast, Zaha said: “I had a conversation with the manager, actually. He was just like, ‘we don’t need to go through much’. He’s seen me play, he knows I can change games at any time and stuff like that. It was like, ‘yeah, we’d love to have you’. And I was just like, ‘I’d love to come’.

“The conversation was rather straightforward because I’ve played against him when he’s managed Arsenal, he’s seen what I can do, he’s seen my work rate, what I can add to the team. Obviously, it was up to the club who they chose, and obviously they chose Pepe over me.”

Pepe proved to be the wrong choice for Emery, with the attacker bagging 16 goals in the top flight over three seasons and finding himself spending a majority of his time on the bench before he was sent out on loan to Nice in August. Zaha has claimed that signing himself over Pepe should have been a ‘no-brainer’.

“I just think if there’s a player who plays in the Premier League who you see week in, week out, and you know what he does… I feel like it’s a no-brainer,” He added.

Paul Merson predicts departure

Paul Merson has revealed that he believes Arsenal will sell Jorginho in the summer, despite his ‘integral’ role since joining the club a month ago. The midfielder’s switch from Chelsea came as a huge shock after they failed to land Moises Caicedo, however he has proved to be a good signing and has started four of the Gunners’ six games since transfer deadline day.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Merson said: “The Jorginho signing has been an absolute masterstroke from Arsenal. They have played an absolute blinder and I have said it all along. He has been integral to all of their last three wins and it came just at the right time after Thomas Partey was struggling with a muscle injury.

“You only have to look at the January transfer window. I thought Jorginho was going to be a phenomenal signing and that’s exactly what has transpired. It was just so clever in every way imaginable.

“He might not even be there next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he left this summer but it doesn’t matter. It’s just the way Arsenal are thinking, they’re doing everything they can to maximise their chances of success.”

Jorginho signed a 18-month contract in January, however Arsenal also have the option to extend for a further year. The Italian could lose his place in the starting line-up this week with Partey returning to full fitness after making the bench against Everton.