Mykhaylo Mudryk would give Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders Arsenal a ‘really dangerous’ option in the final third should he arrive from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, former England international Danny Murphy tells talkSPORT (4 January, 12pm).
It’s not as if Arsenal are lacking in speed and incision already, of course. Just look at the way they turned defence into attack in the blinking of an eye during the recent 4-2 win at Brighton and Hove Albion; Gabriel Martinelli racing onto a typically inch-perfect Martin Odegaard through ball before firing past Robert Sanchez.
Add the fastest player in this season’s Champions League to the mix, and suddenly you’ve got a Gunners side with even more firepower; another weapon of mass destruction added to Arteta’s armoury.
The jet-heeled Mudryk has 10 goals and eight assists in just 18 games this term. Murphy, however, believes the 21-year-old has the potential to become even more ruthless in and around the penalty area, especially if he joins a Gunners side carrying such a threat in the final third.
Arsenal could still beat Chelsea to Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk
“(Mudryk has) got potential to score more than he does. He’s powerful, really quick,” explains Murphy, having kept a close eye on Mudryk during a recent international break.
“He’s quite raw, he’s not one of these players with great awareness (who will be) playing really intricate passes. But he’s great on the counter. Really dangerous on the counter. He is a powerful boy. He will add competition for places and you’d think he’d improve.”
While speculation over his future remains ongoing, Mudryk’s heart appears to lie with Arsenal. That is despite Chelsea’s attempts to do what they done on more than one occasion over the years, and steal a player from under the noses of a direct Premier League rival.
Gunners fans may be fearing of another Willian or John Obi Mikel situation. But Mudryk’s desire to join Arsenal over anyone else ensures that the Premier League pacesetters remain in pole position.
Arsenal, The Standard say, made a new and improved bid of £62 million this week. Mudryk has already agreed personal terms regarding a five-year deal worth around £120,000-a-week (The Sun).
“I check on Arsenal and know when they’re playing,” Mudryk explains. “I also watch them too. (Arsenal are) a very dynamic side.
“From a purely theoretical, fantasy perspective; if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I’d probably choose Arsenal.
“One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me (on social media). No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them, telling me that they are waiting for me. Saying; ‘Come to us’. One of my recent posts has over 500 comments saying that.”
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