Arsenal: And just like that, Ross Barkley isn’t worth it

Arsenal should absolutely be looking for more creative types this summer, but Ross Barkley has been taken off the table in no time flat.

Arsenal’s problems this year shouldn’t be overshadowed by the very successful 3-4-3 shift. They still had tremendous issues getting any sort of cohesion throughout the year and while the new changes are inspiring and worthy of optimism, it is still a fragile high, given how thin most of the attacking positions are.

Which is why, for maybe a day or two, I considered Ross Barkley. Arsenal’s attacking midfield positions are only capable of being maximized by the two superstars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Throw anyone else in those roles and it will be a brand new foray.

Alex Iwobi? I’m skeptical. Theo Walcott? Not his cup of tea.

But Ross Barkley, at least the concept of Ross Barkley, fits the billing. Rather than piling the pressure on him as a No. 10, like Ozil had, let him have a bit more freedom in a new, shared role. It makes sense.

Not only that, but the Gunners have some serious British magic going on lately, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain stepping up, Kieran Gibbs stepping up and Aaron Ramsey stepping up. Keeping that faith in the English alive with another highly talented, potential-laden creative mind like Barkley is a sensible take.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

That is, until a potential price tag was revealed of £50m. While there is no hardcore evidence that that is how much he would cost, it should go without saying that such a high tag would absolutely remove him from all consideration.

It doesn’t make any sense, really. Barkley has just 12 months left on his contract, so it’s not like they can hike up the price for the purpose of his contract. And while he still has a ton of untapped potential, that price tag is for a undisputed world beater, which Barkley surely is not.

Compare that with a statistically superior Gylfi Sigurdsson, who would reportedly cost half of what Barkley would, or a more talented Isco, whose price tag has never gone above £30m.

Again, there is nothing written in stone that Everton wouldn’t take anything less than £50m for Barkley. But it probably doesn’t help all potential suitors that they got that exact price for John Stones last year at a time when Stones was very similar to Barkley – unproven, but rich in potential.

Next: Arsenal's Potential 2017/18 Starting XI Without Ozil, Alexis

Whatever the case, Barkley was never the best idea to begin with. If he is going to cost as much as John Stones, then there should be absolutely nothing appealing about him from an Arsenal standpoint.