Gunners ‘Missed a Trick’ on Clever £40m Signing

Former Chelsea and Liverpool player Joe Cole says Arsenal “missed a trick” by not signing Bournemouth forward Evanilson this summer. The Cherries recruited the Brazilian from Porto for £40m in the summer.

Evanilson, a Fluminense youth product, has scored ten Premier League goals in 28 appearances this season. He helped Bournemouth upset second-placed Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday after being behind one goal.

After a lengthy injury layoff, the 25-year-old impressed for the Cherries this season. As Mikel Arteta’s side struggled in the second half of the season, Cole believes Evanilson is the perfect summer signing for Arsenal.

Mikel Merino has been playing as a striker since Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were out for the season. I like Evanilson, Cole stated on The Dressing Room Podcast. I think he’d compete for the Golden Boot in Arsenal.

“They didn’t sign a striker at the start of the season, and it’s like they’re waiting for the right one. What prevented you from bidding on Evanilson?

If Evanilson was at Arsenal, they’d be stronger immediately. Adding ten goals and seven or eight points brings the league closer, and you never know what could happen.