Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to right the wrongs of their 2018 signings by making a swoop for Watford midfield general Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The high-profile pundit and former Gunners playmaker believes the central midfielder, 26, is exactly what the team need as he’s good enough to play for any top-six Premier League outfit.
“Unai Emery will need a few windows to sort it out but the players they’ve purchased haven’t been great,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Everyone was raving about Lucas Torreira, but he’s not that good. I said this a few months ago and everyone kicked up a stink.
“He only looks good as he’s what Arsenal have needed for a long time, someone to run around and put their foot in. But, if you put him up for sale tomorrow then none of the top five clubs in the Premier League would be interested.
“They should sign Abdoulaye Doucoure at Watford – he’d walk into the team. I’d take him tomorrow morning. He’s a much better player than Torreira and he scores goals. He’s one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League – he could play for any of the top six.”
OPINION
Torreira’s tenacity, work-rate and energy in the middle of the pitch – not to mention a couple of brilliant, high profile goals – has made him a big favourite among Gooners since he joined from Sampdoria last summer. Many regard him as comfortably the best of last summer’s arrivals, although Merson’s verdict is that is not saying too much. Is Doucoure what Arsenal need? Is Torreira not actually as good as all that? Yes. And, well, maybe. Certainly, Doucoure is a fantastic player who look like he’s out-grown a Watford side that have punched above their weight this season to climb to seventh in the league table. Former France Under-21 international Doucoure is an all-action midfielder who is box to box and provides real cutting edge in the final third. Strong and athletic, he has scored three goals from 22 league matches this season as well as supplied five assists. He would be an upgrade on all the midfielders Arsenal have got, even though Merson is a bit harsh on the impressive Torreira.