Marquinhos sends direct response to Edu planned £35m Arsenal deal amid surprise transfer reveal

Marquinhos responds to Mykhaylo Mudryk’s Arsenal transfer admission with a magnificent performance in the Europa League against FC Zurich.

Arsenal were unable to sign a winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform until the next opportunity to address this area of the pitch opens.

One player who the club were looking to sign in the summer transfer window was Mykhaylo Mudryk. However, due to how late in the window the Gunners seemed to register their interest in him, a deal was deemed too difficult to complete.

A transfer for Ukrainian in January looks possible after the winger’s admittance into wanting to join Arsenal. However, Marquinhos’ impressive performance against FC Zurich reminded Mikel Arteta that signing a winger may not be necessary.

According to Ukrainian news outlet football24tv, Arsenal held talks with Mudryk’s agents and were interested in signing the player in the summer. The report went on to say that Shakhtar Donetsk are asking for €35million (£30million).

Amid such interest in Mudryk, it appears as though the youngster is very open to a move to Arsenal, who seemingly need more depth in their wide areas. Speaking to CBS Sports on Thursday afternoon, he said: “I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. It’s hard to say [who his preferred move is] but Arsenal is a very good team, very good coach, I like the way they play.”

When asked if he would make a move to the Emirates Stadium he said: “From my side, I can’t say no [to Arsenal]. But the transfer is not only my decision.”

These comments from Mudryk came hours before Arsenal’s Europa League tie against FC Zurich. Arsenal’s new winger Marquinhos had a standout performance as he scored and assisted on his debut.

It was almost a direct response to the claims that the Gunners still need strengthen in the wide areas, as the Brazilian showed that he should be considered as a serious option in that position.

However, Arteta was thought to be on the lookout for a new winger before the summer window slammed shut, and the unsuccessful pursuit of Raphinha has been the strongest hint yet that the club is serious about recruiting one – especially after Nicolas Pepe also departed the club on loan. That there hasn’t been any incoming attackers since suggests that the chance to try and secure the Brazilian’s services was too good to ignore.

Gunners247 understands that Edu already had his sights set on another winger going into the final days of the transfer window. Pedro Neto was thought to be among the main targets, while Mudryk was also a name that the Gunners were tracking.

Marquinhos’ performance was certainly impressive in the Europa League, but it remains to be seen if Arteta will still target the wide areas in the January transfer window.