Star who scored scorpion kick admits Arsenal move is his ‘dream’

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Serie A forward Cyriel Ngonge admits he ‘dreams’ of playing for Premier League giants Arsenal after an impressive start to life at Hellas Verona. 

What do Cyriel Ngonge and Arsenal icon Olivier Giroud have in common? 

Well, both players have proven themselves capable of executing the seldom-seen scorpion kick. Ngonge channelled France’s all-time record goalscorer back in October 2021, brilliantly flicking an underhit cross into the top corner while wearing the green-and-white of Groningen. 

The 23-year-old Belgian is yet to produce anything quite so scintillating in his new Serie A home. But his five goals in 15 appearances since arriving in Italy five months ago were integral to Hellas Verona’s great escape from relegation, I Gialloblu finishing outside of the bottom three on goal difference.

“Next season, I would like to have an even bigger impact on Serie A,” Ngonge tells Tuttomercatoweb. “(I am) hoping to play a full season.” 

Serie A star Cyriel Ngonge wants to play for Arsenal

Who knows? Pick up where he left off next term and maybe Ngonge’s ‘dream’ club will come calling.

“My dream has always been to play for Arsenal,” adds the former Belgium U19 international. “But now I’m in Italy. I love it so I might even want to stay! Just kidding, of course.”

Ngonge, a mercurial winger with an eye for the spectacular, is not the only player who appears to harbour hopes of pulling on Arsenal’s famous red shirt.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal feel that Kai Havertz is interested in a move from Chelsea across the city, while Declan Rice also appears to be edging towards Mikel Arteta’s side despite interest from Manchester United, Man City and Bayern Munich. 

“The history (makes Arsenal an attractive club for Rice),” Gunners legend Ray Parlour tells talkSPORT (13 June, 10am).  

“The players they have had in their history. Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira. Some top, top players.

“A lot of it is down to he is very happy where he lives. His family are happy there. That gives them another opportunity and, as I mentioned, it’s the youngest squad in the Premier League. And the young players are going to get better.

“Declan Rice might be looking at Saka, Martinelli, Saliba and Odegaard. And saying, ‘I wouldn’t mind being part of this team going forward’. It doesn’t guarantee to win trophies, but it gives you a better chance if you have better players.”