BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has raved about reported Arsenal target and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
The former Tottenham Hotspur forward has written on BBC Sport that Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who has been linked with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, has been “sensational” this season.
Crooks has included the German midfielder in his BBC Premier League Team of the Week for his performance against Everton this past weekend.
The 32-year-old midfielder scored two goals and provided an assist, as defending champions City beat Everton 3-0 away from home at Goodison Park in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side are now at the top of the Premier League table with 85 points from 35 matches.
Arsenal are second with 81 points from 36 games.
Gundogan has made 26 starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League for City this season.
The 32-year-old German has scored eight goals and given four assists in those games.
Gundogan is out of contract at defending Premier League champions Manchester City at the end of the season, and Arsenal are among the clubs linked with the midfielder.
According to a report in Spanish publication SPORT in March, Arsenal are trying to sign Gundogan on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.
The report claimed interest in the German star from Barcelona as well.
City manager Guardiola, though, has made it clear that he wants the midfielder to stay.
Praise for Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan
Crooks wrote: “This was a captain’s performance if ever I saw one and a very important win in the scheme of things for Manchester City. Ilkay Gundogan’s display was controlled, disciplined and offered leadership.
“I never see this player flustered. He took his first goal as well as any seasoned striker, while his free-kick flew past Jordan Pickford as though he wasn’t there – and that was it, game over.”
The BBC Sport pundit added: “The football writers doffed their caps to Erling Haaland by honouring him with their award as footballer of the year for his heroic efforts for Manchester City this season. I must say it was somewhat predictable – I would have liked IIkay Gundogan to have won it.
“The Germany midfielder has been sensational this season and it would have been fitting, having played his 300th game for the club, won numerous titles, and now on the verge of a historic Treble, to have received the accolade.”
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