Here in the Transfer Tavern, Arsenal fans are up in arms after watching Monaco’s impressive display against Manchester City in the Champions League last night.
Of course, watching a fellow Premier League side put themselves in good stead for reaching the next round has inevitably poured salt in Gunners wounds, after that 5-1 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich last week.
But somewhat more frustratingly for Arsenal supporters, Monaco midfielder Tiemou Bakayoko has picked up plenty of praise for his performance at the Etihad Stadium, further enhancing his reputation as one of European football’s most exciting midfield powerhouses.
Arsenal’s engine room is crying out for such an addition, capable of providing much-needed dynamism, physicality and defensive nous in the middle of the park.
And although the Gunners were linked with the 22-year-old in January, Chelsea and Manchester United have been more heavily aligned in the British press – with The Sun and Mirror Football both mooting them as potential suitors in recent months.
It seems Bakayoko won’t be the man brought in to beef up Arsenal’s midfield – and annoyed fans on Twitter are already feeling rather cynical about the situation…
Bakayoko is exactly the type of player Arsenal are crying out for but won't buy #cityvmonaco
— Daniel Lifton (@danlifton) February 21, 2017
Bakayoko is a player Arsenal needs
— (@BongleTV) February 21, 2017
I'm watching Bakayoko and Mendy, if Arsenal were serious we'd bag them in the summer
— Khalid (@WorldOfK_) February 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/Anton1992/status/834138028310409216
Bernardo Silva, what a player! Monaco have some amazing talent! We should be snapping up Mandy, Bakayoko and Mbappe, but we won’t! #AFC
— Chris J aka C Tex (@DJ_CTex23) February 21, 2017
