Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly had his eyes on Nico Williams, the breakout Euro 2024 star, as his primary transfer target, claims former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit.
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The 22-year-old Williams shone during the Euros, helping Spain clinch the title with his standout performances, including a crucial goal in the final against England.
Despite Arteta’s strong interest, Athletic Bilbao managed to retain the young winger, forcing Arsenal to pivot towards Raheem Sterling in the final days of the transfer window.
Petit suggests that Arsenal’s signing of Sterling was more of a “panic buy,” as Arteta needed to boost his squad’s depth and quality before the deadline.
Sterling, 29, joined from Chelsea after struggling under new boss Enzo Maresca and hasn’t quite hit his stride with Arsenal. Petit believes that Sterling’s prolonged success in the Premier League may have affected his hunger for the game, making it challenging for him to reach his previous heights.
Arsenal, who began the season strongly, now find themselves in a challenging spot, sitting fifth in the league after a streak of disappointing results.
Petit points out that some Arsenal players, like Declan Rice, appear fatigued, with a lack of squad depth impacting the team’s rotation. He stresses that while Manchester City can cope with missing key players, Arsenal’s limited bench options put them at a disadvantage.
