Sky pundit thinks Mikel Arteta ‘might go for’ Englishman who’s ‘young enough to improve’

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Paul Merson has suggested in The Daily Star that Arsenal should make a move for Manchester City central defender John Stones in the summer transfer window.

The former Arsenal star, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, believes that the former Everton star would be a good signing for Mikel Arteta’s team.

In fact, Merson has suggested that Arteta might go for the 26-year-old England international midfielder because he is young enough to improve.

Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “They need a centre-back, a central midfielder and another striker. The whole spine of the team really.

“And I think he might go for John Stones at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola doesn’t seem to trust him, and Arteta has worked with him before.

“Arsenal need an out and out defender, not another David Luiz who knows how to play the ball out from the back but makes a lot of mistakes.

“But Stones is English, young enough to improve, and Arteta will know all about him and know he fits into the system.”

John Stones to Arsenal?

Stones is a good defender, but the Englishman has not progressed a lot under City manager Pep Guardiola, although it must be said that he has had injury problems.

While the 26-year-old remains a good defender who is of Premier League level, Arsenal may not actually need a new centre-back, as they have more than enough on their books.

Meanwhile, Willian has laid down the condition for him to sign a new contract with Chelsea, amid reported interest from Arsenal.

The Brazil international, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, is out of contract at Chelsea at the end of the season and is on the radar of Arsenal, according to a report in The Daily Mail in June.

Willian told De Sola, as transcribed and translated by The Mirror: “Chelsea only offered me two years and I asked for three. My goal in the next contract is to sign for three years, so I haven’t had a deal with Chelsea yet.

“This is what I asked the club for, three years of contract. If you give me that, I’ll get the pen and sign the contract tomorrow.”

The Brazilian added: “There are rumours about several teams that may be interested.”

“For the time being, I have had no concrete proposal. But rumours always arise. I’m waiting. My agent hasn’t given me any news yet. I’m waiting for his call.”