‘Arsenal to look at Celtic ace Adam Idah after Aston Villa: Unbelievable update’
Arsenal will now be looking at signing Celtic striker Adam Idah after his Champions League heroics, says Lee Hendrie.
Celtic were beaten 4-2 by Aston Villa in their final Champions League league stage game, as both teams qualified for the knockout stage.
Villa took an early lead as Morgan Rogers scored in the third and fifth minute, to give the English side a 2-0 lead.
Celtic wrestled their way back into the match though, with their own quick-fire double, as Idah stunned the hosts in the 36th and 38th minute.
Following his second goal, Hendrie was left in disbelief at the former Norwich man’s performance, in the context of the Gunners making transfer moves towards his opponents on the night.
With the score at 2-2, the former Villa man, Hendrie, said on Sky Sports Soccer Special (29 January, 8.47pm): “Absolutely took the sting out of it for me to be honest. They [Villa] got off to a frantic start but credit to Celtic.
“I’m looking at Villa defensively, I’m looking at Adam Idah. He couldn’t get in the Norwich side [now] he looks like an absolute worldie.
“I bet you Arsenal will be looking at him to be honest at this moment in time, it’s absolutely unbelievable.”
Arsenal could sign Adam Idah as cheap alternative to Ollie Watkins
Football Insider Verdict
The Gunners had a £60million bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins rejected on Wednesday (29 January) before their Champions League match against Girona.
Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners against the Spanish side, with Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri netting the goals.
The Gunners defensive record in the Champions League has been fantastic, having conceded only three goals in eight games, only outmatched by Italian champions Inter Milan, who conceded once.
Goals have been harder to come by in Europe this season for Arsenal, with the North London side being outscored by the likes of Atalanta, Lille and Feyenoord.
That is, in part, due to the loss of winger Bukayo Saka and striker Gabriel Jesus, with the duo out with season-ending injuries.
Another issue has been the lack of a clinical striker, Kai Havertz is a talented player, but has never been a guaranteed source of goals.
Mikel Arteta clearly wants a striker as his squad has been stretched thin by competing on multiple fronts this season, and with a move for Watkins looking difficult, and expensive, Idah would be a cheaper alternative but whether it is a realistic claim is up for debate.
The Irishman has struggled for Celtic since joining, but since his time at Norwich Idah has been considered a supremely talented striker, his goals against Villa may signify a turning point for the young striker.
In other news, Arsenal may be about to sign a young striker from Bayern Munich this January.
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