Arsenal may be ‘yearning for what could have been’ after failing to lure new Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk to the Emirates Stadium, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
The Gunners completed the £20million signing of Spezia defender Jakub Kiwior earlier this week, but it has not been plain sailing for boss Mikel Arteta in the January window.
Arsenal transfer news – Mykhailo Mudryk
According to BBC Sport, Chelsea agreed to pay up to £89million to win the race for Shakhtar Donetsk talisman Mudryk.
The report suggests the Ukraine international, who was Arsenal’s top target heading into 2023, has penned an eight-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea hijacked Mudryk’s move to north London after it initially appeared the Gunners were on the verge of concluding an £80million switch.
It was a huge blow after the 22-year-old had initially admitted, in a video interview, that he would find it difficult to turn down a winter switch to Arsenal.
Mudryk wasted little time making an impression on his Chelsea debut as Sofascore statistics show he won six ground duels, made three tackles and was successful with two dribble attempts after coming off the bench during the goalless draw with Liverpool last weekend.
What has Dean Jones said about Mudryk?
Jones believes it would have been difficult for Arsenal to watch Mudryk putting in such an eye-catching performance as he tasted Premier League action for the first time.
But the journalist feels the north Londoners cannot afford to rest on their laurels after they were beaten to the winger’s signature by Chelsea.
Jones told GiveMeSport: “It’s impossible to watch that performance against Liverpool and not have some regret or even some yearning for what could have been.
“I think that’s probably a better way to put it because Arsenal don’t have time for regrets.
“Obviously, he is an extremely tricky player and he would have been great for the back end of this season in the title run-in.”
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
Have Arsenal signed an alternative to Mudryk after missing out?
Arteta has bounced back from the setback in double-quick time as Leandro Trossard joined Arsenal in a deal worth up to £27million, according to Sky Sports, last week.
The Belgium international made the move to the Emirates Stadium after entering the final six months of his £60,000-per-week Brighton & Hove Albion contract.
Trossard was desperate to walk away from the Amex Stadium after being left ‘humiliated’ by Seagulls chief Roberto De Zerbi.
Like Mudryk, he enjoyed an impressive debut and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp claimed, via MailOnline, the 28-year-old will prove to be a ‘bargain’.
Sofascore statistics show Trossard won three ground duels and completed two dribbles in an eight-minute cameo appearance as Arsenal overcame Manchester United on Sunday.
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