15 August 2023 , 19:23
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Pep Guardiola appears to have followed Jamie Carragher ’s advice - and may have ruined Mikel Arteta ’s search for more signings in the process.
Arsenal are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements following a couple of major blows over the opening week of the season. Summer signing Jurrien Timber looks set to miss a huge chunk of the campaign after suffering a serious knee injury in the win over Nottingham Forest.
It has been suggested that the Gunners could well enter the market once again to cope with his absence. Reports have suggested that they could once again raid Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
According to the Daily Express, Arsenal remain admirers of Spanish centre-back Aymeric Laporte. It is also suggested that Edu is interested in a deal for Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo, particularly with Kieran Tierney tipped for a move away.
Whilst the Gunners are eyeing swoops for the Man City pair, deals might be difficult to do. After selling both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal last season, Guardiola does not want to sell any more members of his squad to direct rivals - particularly given the progress that the North London side have shown under Arteta.
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That is something that Carragher could see coming. Speaking in the midst of the title battle between Arsenal and Man City, the ex-Liverpool defender predicted business between the two clubs would be limited going forwards.
Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo are of interest to Arsenal (Getty Images)Who else do you think Arsenal should sign this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below
He said on the Overlap: “Pep Guardiola’s system this season is a flip of what he’s done before. It was always the full-back going into midfield; now it’s the midfielder going to full-back.
“Bernardo Silva is starting in midfield then trying to get to full back. Pep and Manchester City will never sell a player to Arsenal ever again.
“The reason why Oleksandr Zinchenko was sold to Arsenal is because of Pep’s mate [Arteta] – and he didn’t feel Arsenal were a threat.”
Whilst Laporte and Cancelo do not appear likely to move to North London this summer, the pair could still be on the move. The former fell out of favour under Guardiola as City lifted the treble.
He made just 20 starts in all competitions last season, whilst being afforded just an 11-minute cameo in the 3-0 opening day victory over Burnley. His opportunities look even more limited following the signing of Josko Gvardiol.
Cancelo looks sure to leave. He was sent to Bayern Munich last season, who turned down the chance to sign him permanently. The former Juventus defender is apparently being eyed by Spanish giants Barcelona, who are aiming to seal his signature on a temporary basis.