Arsenal could seal top-four finish after ‘massive’ Wijnaldum update from Sky – pundit
Georginio Wijnaldum could give Arsenal the “quality” to secure a top-four finish this season, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted manager Mikel Arteta should be “knocking down the doors of the owners” to sign the 31-year-old in January.
Sky Sports reported last week (8 December) that the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is open to a return to the Premier League with Arsenal a potential destination.
Wijnaldum only joined the French giants in the summer, following the expiry of his Liverpool contract.
Whelan claimed a deal for the Dutchman would be “massive” for Arsenal.
“He’s got the quality to take Arsenal to the top four,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I was very surprised when Liverpool allowed him to leave, to be honest, because he was one of their better midfielders.
“You do wonder how Liverpool are going to go and replace him. If Arsenal could come in and get him in January, it’d be massive for the club, massive for Mikel Arteta.
“He’s a real professional. He works hard to bring talent and creativity to the table in that midfield area – and he’s got an eye for a goal.
“Arsenal are in a really strong position right now. Arteta should be knocking down the door of the owners and saying: ‘If you want Champions League football, here’s what I need’.
“Wijnaldum is a player he’ll be looking at and thinking: ‘Wow, yes please, I want him at this football club.’”
Arsenal sit two points adrift of fourth-place West Ham, and can leapfrog them when the two sides meet on Wednesday.
Wijnaldum has made 21 appearances this term, scoring three goals.
In other news, a pundit has blasted one Arsenal big name for ‘not trying’ at the Emirates after ‘surprising’ reveal.