Arsenal’s pursuit of Ousmane Dembele has raised concerns among former Arsenal icons, with Ian Wright and Emmanuel Petit advising against the signing of the French winger. They believe that Dembele’s performance at PSG, along with his penchant for squandering goal-scoring opportunities, should dissuade Mikel Arteta from bringing him to the club.
Ousmane Dembele, once considered one of Europe’s top attackers during his stints at Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, has faced a challenging transition since his move to Paris Saint-Germain. This shift has been far from successful, as he has struggled to find his footing in the French capital. Ian Wright, an Arsenal legend, has criticized Dembele’s wastefulness in front of goal, comparing him unfavorably to Eddie Nketiah, a player who has faced his share of criticisms for missed chances. Wright’s warning is clear: Dembele’s inefficiency in front of the goal could be a significant liability if he were to join Arsenal.
Emmanuel Petit, another former Arsenal player, shares the same concerns. He points out that Dembele has not only been squandering chances but also failing to score goals, which is a matter of great concern for any club. Petit emphasizes the difficult start Dembele has had at PSG, attributing it to the massive pressure he’s under. This pressure has seemingly affected his performance, and Petit advises against pursuing the Frenchman.
Moreover, Dembele’s injury-prone nature is a red flag for Arsenal. Injuries have plagued his career, and this unreliability could disrupt the team’s plans if they were to sign him. Arsenal needs consistency and a player who can be relied upon week in and week out, and Dembele’s track record of injuries does not bode well in this regard.
The overall sentiment from these Arsenal legends is clear: Dembele is not the right fit for the club at this moment. His struggles at PSG, his inconsistency in front of the goal, and his vulnerability to injuries make him a risky acquisition. Instead, they believe that Arsenal should explore other options in the transfer market. They express optimism that better players will become available, offering a more reliable and effective addition to the team.