Mikel Arteta dodges question about 13-goal winger Arsenal have allegedly scouted for a year

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Arsenal fancy signing Cody Gakpo but Mikel Arteta has attempted to dodge questions about the PSV Eindhoven winger’s quality.

The Gunners are back in Europa League action this evening as they host PSV at the Emirates Stadium.

Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City was postponed in order to reschedule this clash with PSV, which was cancelled following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Arsenal have taken nine points from three Europa League games and will be looking to make it 12 with tonight’s clash against PSV.

Arsenal fancy signing Cody Gakpo

This game sees PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy take on Arsenal some 19 years – yes, we’re all getting old – since his famous penalty miss against the Gunners.

One player Van Nistelrooy will be unleashing is winger Cody Gakpo, who Arsenal will already be very much aware of ahead of the game.

The Mirror reported earlier this month that Arsenal have been tracking Gakpo for around a year as they consider signing him.

Gakpo has also admitted that his hero growing up was Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, which surely makes a move to the Emirates Stadium even more appealing.

Gakpo has a chance at a big audition this evening and if he takes his domestic form into this game, Edu and co would surely be impressed.

The 23-year-old has been ridiculous this season, racking up 13 goals and 11 assists in just 18 Eredivisie games.

Gakpo will surely land a move away from PSV in 2023 and Arsenal would be wise to be near the front of the queue.

Mikel Arteta was unsurprisingly asked about Gakpo ahead of tonight’s game, but he dodged the question as you would expect.

As quoted by Football London, Arteta suggested that Gakpo does have the quality to be a Premier League player but didn’t want to talk about non-Arsenal players.

“Yeah but I’m not here to talk about other players from other teams,” said Arteta.

This is the approach Arteta usually takes but given Arsenal’s lengthy analysis of Gakpo, the Gunners boss will know all about him.

Playing down the subject before making a January move would be smart stuff from Arsenal, who will soon see Gakpo first-hand as part of their scouting process.