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Pundit Paul Merson believes Arsenal should've made an attempt to sign Pedro Neto, who joined Chelsea this summer. He praised the winger and said that he would've provided a good rotation option for the Gunners.
The Blues signed Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £54 million earlier this month. The winger has impressed since joining Wolves from Lazio in 2019, registering 14 goals and 24 assists in 135 games for the club. However, he's been massively injury-prone over the years and made just 20 Premier League appearances last season.
Regardless, Paul Merson believes Neto would've been a good signing for the Gunners, as he said (via Football Transfers):
"If Chelsea can keep him fit, I think it is an incredible signing. If you can get Neto on the pitch, he is top draw.
"I think Arsenal missed a trick with him. If he goes to Arsenal he takes the workload of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Chelsea were very shrewd – they did it very quickly and very quietly. He’s a good signing."
Many fans and pundits have complained about Mikel Arteta's lack of rotation, leading to a bigger workload on the likes of Bukayo Saka. The 22-year-old played 47 games across competitions last season, contributing 20 goals and 14 assists.
Chelsea and Arsenal stars among players nominated for PFA Player of the Year award
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer are among the six players nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award for last season.
Odegaard had another excellent season with the Gunners despite ending it without a trophy. They finished just two points behind Manchester City in the Premier League title race. Odegaard scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 48 games across competitions for Arsenal last season.
Cole Palmer, meanwhile, had a huge impact on a struggling Chelsea side, having arrived from Manchester City last summer. He scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 48 games across competitions. He also won the Premier League Young Player of the Year award.
Along with the duo, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Rodri, and Ollie Watkins are also nominated for the award. Phil Foden won the Premier League Player of the Year award last season, registering 19 goals and eight assists in 35 league games.
Haaland won the Premier League Golden Boot second year in a row with 27 goals and five assists in 31 league games. Rodri was also impactful for Manchester City from the defensive midfield position as they won the title. Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins registered 19 goals and 13 assists in 37 league games to help Aston Villa finish fourth.
