Arsenal should’ve rivalled West Bromwich Albion for Gareth Barry, says Paul Merson.
Paul Merson has said on Sky Sports that he believes Arsenal should have tried to sign Gareth Barry in the summer.
The 36-year-old has proven a shrewd signing by West Bromwich Albion, who paid Everton £1 million (according to The Express and Star) to get him.
The former England international is set to come up against Arsenal at The Emirates on Saturday, where he’ll usurp Ryan Giggs as the Premier League’s record appearance holder with 636 games in England’s top flight.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed in his pre-match press conference that he tried to sign the former Aston Villa youth before he joined Manchester City in 2009.
And ex-Gunner forward Merson tells Sky Sports that Wenger could and should have tried again this past summer.
“Wow, a great signing [for West Brom]. For me, I look at him and think ‘Well why didn’t Arsenal take him for a year?’
“He gets the ball, moves it quickly, he don’t mess about. He’d give it to Ozil, give it to Sanchez. He’s never going to go anywhere, always going to stay where he is. He’s an unbelievable buy for West Brom.”
Wenger has Grant Xhaka to fulfill that role, but the Switzerland midfielder continues to divide opinion among Arsenal fans and there is certainly an argument to be made that Barry is the more influential player.
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