Arsenal handed stark warning after ‘big’ Darwin Nunez update – pundit
The progress made at Arsenal will “mean nothing” if Mikel Arteta’s side cannot secure Champions League football for next season, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Gunners will struggle to attract their top transfer targets without a top-four finish.
According to football.london (19 April), Arsenal are plotting a move for Benfica star Darwin Nunez this summer as they target two striker signings in the main window.
However, according to The Telegraph (19 April), Nunez has already rebuffed initial contact from free-spending Newcastle due to their lack of Champions League football.
Arsenal sit level on points with fourth-placed rivals Tottenham – with the two sides set to meet on 12 May.
Whelan insisted missing out on the top four would also have serious repercussions for Man United and Spurs.
“It comes down to Champions League football in the transfer market,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“They’ve built a great infrastructure at Arsenal, good manager, they’re playing exciting football with some real talented youngsters.
“But all that will mean nothing if they can’t get in that top four. Players want to be playing in the Champions League.
“That is the big problem. That’s why it’s so important to achieve that – and the same goes for Tottenham and Man United, too.”
Arsenal bounced back from three consecutive league losses to record a stunning 4-2 win over Chelsea on Wednesday (20 April).
Arteta’s side face top-four rivals Man United at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow (23 April).
In other news, Arsenal favourite suggests possible reason for Gabriel Magalhaes snubbing fresh offer.