Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira knows a thing or two about captaining a team to Premier League glory.
So the former France international is certainly well placed to pass judgement on a man who might just be about to follow in his North London footsteps, the uncertainty surrounding Ilkay Gundogan’s contract situation at Manchester City encouraging many a vulture to perch themselves in the Etihad rafters.
The presumption was, when it emerged that Granit Xhaka would be returning to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, that Arsenal would look to bring in a younger model. A Declan Rice, for instance. A Moises Caicedo, perhaps.
According to The Athletic, however, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is pushing the Gunners to bring in a man two years Xhaka’s senior. But what Gundogan lacks in youth, he more than makes up for in title-winning experience, leadership and sheer, unfiltered quality.
Will Arsenal snatch Manchester City hero Ilkay Gundogan?
As Arsenal cowed under the pressure – their hopes of a first Premier League title in 20 years extinguished by a dreadfully-untimely run of two wins in eight matches – Gundogan has taken it upon himself to carry Manchester City over the line again, stepping out of Erling Haaland’s lengthy shadow while producing more ‘clutch’ moments than a play-off Michael Jordan.
“He is really a top player,” Vieira told Sky Sports after Gundogan scored two different but equally sumptuous goals during Man City’s 3-0 win at Everton, including one the Frenchman’s former team-mates Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp would have been proud to call their own.
One Premier League-winning hailing the influence of another.
“The technical ability to put the ball where he wants to,” Vieira adds. “He is really smart with the timing of his run to get into the box. He is one of the best in the league.”
‘One of the best’
Gundogan has scored eight Premier league goals this season. Half of those have come in his last two appearances; victories over Leeds and Everton which saw Pep Guardiola’s side overtake long-time leaders Arsenal into top spot.
The Germany international’s contract expires in July. Even a team of Manchester City’s infinite resources may struggle to find a player capable of replicating Gundogan’s remarkable penchant for title-deciding interventions.
Whether the 32-year-old plans to swap City for a team who look likely to finish a distant second place, meanwhile, only time will tell. The chance to reunite with Arteta, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko – while imparting all that knowledge onto a young and impressionable group – may hold some appeal.
From an Arsenal perspective, however, you don’t need a UEFA A-licence or a decade’s worth of experience as a sporting director to realise what Gundogan would bring to the Emirates Stadium
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