Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta felt somewhat convinced that Mason Mount would be joining the Gunners this summer.
Mason Mount has secured a move to Manchester United after Mikel Arteta really believed he would end up at Arsenal.
That is according to The National, who claim that Manchester United knew they would be landing Mount after first speaking to him.
United felt that Mount was ‘desperate’ to join them and they have now secured £60million deal with confirmation arriving this morning.
Mount did have other interest though with Liverpool and Arsenal both keen on the playmaker.
The National suggest that Jurgen Klopp wanted to bring Mount to Anfield but the biggest interest came from Arteta and Arsenal.
It’s stated that Arteta didn’t just admire Mount – he actually thought that the Chelsea man would be signing for Arsenal.
Arteta seemingly had a belief that Mount would want to stay in London having spent most of his adult life there.
Mount had other plans though and is trying something different by making a move to Old Trafford.
Arsenal seemingly learned of Mount’s decision a while ago and finalised a deal for his Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz instead.
Arsenal will be very happy with Kai Havertz despite Mason Mount miss
We can certainly understand why Arsenal wanted to sign Mount.
The England international is hard-working, tactically astute and can make a real impact in the final third.
Havertz isn’t anything like a consolation prize though and Arsenal will be very happy to have him on board.
Arteta will see Havertz as a flexible player who can play as an attacking midfielder, striker or even as a right winger, cutting in on his left foot.
That versatility will be vital for Arsenal and Arteta moving forward, and it’s an aspect that Mount doesn’t really provide.
Signing both would have been hugely exciting but Arsenal must now face Mount in big games against United, likely pitting him against his long-term friend Declan Rice.
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