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Arsenal urged to sign Crystal Palace star with “crazy vision”
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has urged Arsenal to sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.
Speaking on fellow former Red Devil Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, Hargreaves lauded Wharton’s vision and passing ability, and believes he would be a fit for Arsenal’s set-up.
“He gets in your team,” Hargreaves said to co-host and Arsenal fan Joel Beya. “If Mikel Arteta saw him he’d go, ‘that’s my guy’ – say if Thomas Partey leaves, Wharton is a player.”
“The thing with Adam that’s crazy is his vision. He’s two steps ahead. His reading of the game when you watch him… his vision and his touch is almost as good as anyone.”
Wharton has endured an injury-hit campaign this season, but broke through last season with impressive displays. His form saw him earn his first England call-ups and he has been tipped with big money moves to several clubs in the Premier League and beyond.
Although Arsenal is not officially credited with firm interest in Wharton at this time, Hargreaves’ comments echo the sentiments of many fans who believe a shuffling of the pack in Arsenal’s midfield is needed this summer.
Arsenal’s midfield reshuffle
With the future of two of Arsenal’s senior midfielders still up in the air, shouts for potential replacements will come as no surprise. The contracts of both Thomas Partey and Jorginho are set to expire at the end of the season, and it believed that one if not both will be allowed to leave.
The latter has been strongly linked with a return to his native Brazil. The former has been the subject of many conflicting reports, with some believing fresh terms are being readied by Arsenal. Others report that Partey will be allowed to leave. No official news has been shared by Arsenal at this moment despite Mikel Arteta’s statement that “the intention is very clear” in regards to Partey’s contract situation.
This could open the door for a move for Wharton, who has been linked to the club before.
Room for one more?
It is widely reported that Arsenal expect to finalise a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi regardless of Partey’s future. Reports suggest Arsenal are willing to activate the player’s release clause with personal terms already agreed.
Arteta is said to be a huge admirer of the player, who would be reunited with former Sociedad teammates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino. Seen as both a long term solution and a potential upgrade to Partey, Zubimendi is expected to slot straight into the team, meaning Wharton and or any other addition in that area would provide depth.
With Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino normally deployed higher up the pitch, Wharton could still play a role in Arsenal’s midfield as the club will be competing on all fronts next season.
Should Arteta decide to target Wharton, he would provide a different profile to what is already on offer at the Emirates. His heat map statistics suggesting he is more of a cover for Declan Rice than Thomas Partey.
One to watch in the coming months.
