Ian Wright names the Chelsea star he wishes Mikel Arteta had signed for Arsenal

25 February 2024 , 09:28

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Mikel Arteta didn't fulfill Ian Wright's wish (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has admitted he'd have "loved" Mikel Arteta to have signed Cole Palmer before he moved to Chelsea.

Palmer, 21, quit boyhood club Manchester City in September to join Chelsea in a £42.5million transfer deal. Since penning a lucrative seven-year contract, the England international has scored an impressive 12 goals and registered nine assists in just 29 appearances. Set to line up at Wembley on Sunday for Chelsea's Carabao Cup final clash with Liverpool, Arsenal legend Wright has lauded Palmer and is jealous of their London rivals for having him in the ranks.

"I wish we did," the former Gunners striker admitted on his podcast, Wrighty's House. "I don't want to say who I'd have had him in for, but I'd have loved to have had Cole Palmer. I heard someone saying something that he's like [Riyad] Mahrez, but he's not that player, he has so much more."

Comparisons are being made to players like Mahrez - Palmer's ex-City teammate - although Chelsea legend Pat Nevin reckons the 21-year-old could even be the next Kevin De Bruyne. "I've said that before and took a lot of stick for it," Nevin told Lucky Block this week.

"I even said it on national radio when he was still at Manchester City! I don't make hyperbolic statements and I don't exaggerate, so it was a big statement. If you watch Palmer, you can see it now. He picks the right ball and he's the one who creates everything. He's the one who makes Chelsea special."

Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush

Your turn! Would Cole Palmer have suited Arsenal? Join the debate in the comments section.

Cole Palmer left Manchester City to join Chelsea in September (Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Ahead of the final, Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders hailed Palmer as arguably the find of the season. "I think one of the best signings this year in the Premier League is Palmer; taking him from a rival, a young player, and performing like that," Lijnders declared.

"Then you have [Conor] Gallagher of course, a proper No.10, from the academy wearing the armband and he is a proper leader. He is somebody who is a 10 but gets his shirt dirty as well. If you let them play and let them find the players between the lines, Palmer and Gallagher there, who have a lot of technique, that will be really hard. Enzo [Fernandez] dropping. The speed as well they have up front, when they play out of our counter-press, we will need our full toolbox to defend them.

Nathan Ridley