BonusCodeBets had the pleasure of catching up with former Liverpool winger John Barnes who gave his assessment on some of Arsenal’s summer dealings and potential incomings in the future with the likes of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori being linked with a move to The Emirates.
In this article:
- Guehi good enough for any of England’s top sides
- Calafiori is a fantastic signing for Arsenal
Guehi good enough for any of England’s top sides
Arsenal are said to be in the race to sign Marc Guehi this summer and they hope to strike a deal with Crystal Palace by offering Eddie Nketiah in exchange for the centre-back. Nketiah is also said to have taken a major step towards joining Marseille having agreed personal terms. Guehi enjoyed a fine Euro 2024 at the heart of the England defence alongside John Stones in his first international tournament. Barnes claims Guehi is good enough to play for any of the top sides in England.
“I think Guehi could be a good fit for any of the top teams. He’s a very good centre back. He’s quick, he’s mobile. Of course he’s not six foot five but there aren’t many six and five centre halves anymore. He’s decent enough in the air. He’s got a great character from what I’ve heard about him. So yeah, he’d be a good signing for anyone. I think that would be a good move for Arsenal.”
Calafiori is a fantastic signing for Arsenal
In other news Arsenal have closed in on the signing of Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori from Italian side Bologna for a reported €50 million (£42.1m). The defender emerged as one of Mikel Arteta’s top targets after shining at Euro 2024. Under the guidance of manager Thiago Motta, he has been used as a centre-back, capable of playing in both a back-three or four which will likely prove invaluable to the tactical flexibility Mikel Arteta likes his Arsenal sides to have.
“I thought he was very good at the Euros. He won’t cost a lot of money. Left footed. It’s always good to have left footed centre backs. He’s good on the ball. He can push forward. Good in possession. Quick. Good recovery. I think he’d be a great signing for anyone. Absolutely. I think if they can get that bit of business done it would be very good.
“I mean if they signed him and Guehi that would be fantastic for them even though they already have Gabriel and Saliba.
“He can play left back and I think that Arsenal have really looked in that position and played a few people there but I don’t think they necessarily got someone there that’s reliable.I think that will be a great signing. And now they could play three centre backs. So he’s very versatile. So I think that that would be probably even a better signing than Marc Guehi if you understand what I mean?”
