David James urged Arsenal to make attacking signings before the transfer deadline this past summer, preferably Adama Traore.
Arsenal ended the summer transfer window as the biggest spenders among Premier League clubs, making a total of six permanent transfers. All of the Gunners’ signings are under the age of 23, with Mikel Arteta undertaking a re-build of his squad, preferring young stars over professionals in their prime or older.
While most of the signings had been wrapped up well before deadline day, they managed to dash through a late addition from Italy. The Premier League giants signed versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna to finish their incoming business for this window.
Arsenal also managed a few departures, with Hector Bellerin’s loan move to Real Betis their most significant one on the day. Many supporters had been pleading with the club to sign a midfielder, especially after witnessing some spectacular collapses in that position during their three games in the Premier League.
Arsenal endured their worst ever start in the Premier League era, and are languishing at the bottom of the table. After three consecutive defeats, no goals scored and nine goals conceded, the Gunners need a spark in attack to kick-start their season after the international break.
While there are plenty of attacking options at the club, former England goalkeeper David James, advised the club to sign Adama Traore. According to James, the Wolves winger could have significantly improved Arsenal’s attack and produced the kind of attacking football Mikel Arteta seeks. football.london posted few lines from James’ talk with Sky Sports on deadline day.
James said, “Traore, he has to go to Arsenal. When Arsenal are looking for someone who is going to create goals for the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, well, Traore is the perfect fit.”
The choice of player would surely have suited Arsenal and eased some pressure on the club with their current status. However, looking at his £50 million price tag, the Gunners would have baulked, much like rivals Tottenham, who were very keen on the Spaniard.
As far as James’ advice goes, Arteta and Edu could keep this piece in mind when the next transfer window opens. Incidentally, Traore could be available for a lower fee owing to his contractual impasse at Wolves.
