Arsenal should go all out for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson.
Calvert-Lewin moved to Merseyside in 2016 for around £1.6million and has made over 170 appearances for the Toffees.
The England international is currently out injured due to a thigh problem after starting the season very well, netting three in as many games.
Everton: The most confusingly chaotic club in the land
Calvert-Lewin has not featured since August while Everton struggle for form in the Premier League. Rafael Benitez’s side are currently 12th having won once in nine.
However, Merson has urged Arsenal to buy the 24-year-old once he returns to full fitness, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract at the end of the season.
Furthermore, club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled in front of goal in 2021, and missed Saturday’s win over Southampton due to a “disciplinary breach”.
“Arsenal need to go out and buy Calvert-Lewin as soon as he’s fit,” Merson said on Sky Sports. “Put in a massive bid for him. They need a focal point up front whose good and strong and can hold the ball up.
Merse "Arsenal need to go and buy Calvert-Lewin."
Jeff "Why would he go there?"
Merse "It's the Arsenal."
Jeff "Everton are a big club."
Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling argue about whether Calvert-Lewin would leave Everton for Arsenal pic.twitter.com/um1XpJLeMv
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 11, 2021
“Everton aren’t bigger than Arsenal. Arsenal are going to finish above them. If Calvert-Lewin goes, they have a chance to get in the top four.”
After the Southampton match, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta remained coy on Aubameyang’s disciplinary issue.
“He had a disciplinary breach, that applies to everybody. That’s a non-negotiable and when that happens he’s out of the team.
“Whatever happens in the dressing room, I cannot share. I am sorry. I’m telling you the reason, I cannot lie, it was that, this is where I stand. From my side, I will never [say what the breach was.]”
Since the Spaniard’s comments, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reported that Aubameyang had returned late from a ‘personal’ trip abroad.
Ornstein said on Twitter: ‘Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dropped from Arsenal squad for late return from trip abroad last week. 32yo had permission to go for personal reasons but was back later than agreed & it had Covid protocol implications.’
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