3 reasons why Johan Bakayoko would be perfect for Arsenal

• Would provide important cover

• Represents excellent value for money

• Great ability, even better potential

Belgium v Slovakia: Group E - UEFA EURO 2024
Belgium v Slovakia: Group E - UEFA EURO 2024 / BSR Agency/GettyImages
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As rumours linking Johan Bakayoko with a move to Arsenal return, here is a look at why the Belgian star would be perfect for the Gunners.

Bakayoko is a name that many Arsenal fans will already be familiar with, owing to previous transfer links and, notably, his performances against the Gunners in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage.

It was not just Arsenal who the 21-year-old impressed against last season as, for PSV Eindhoven, he achieved 14 goals and 14 assists - form that rewarded him with a place in Belgium's Euro 2024 squad.

Though he struggled with very limited playing at the tournament, that should not detract from the incredible season that Bakayoko has had, and it is really no surprise to see huge clubs, like Arsenal, being linked with him.

So, for a rumoured price tag of roughly £43m (€50m), Bakayoko looks, on paper, to be a smart piece of business that Arsenal should consider - but why exactly should the Gunners contemplate a move for the Belgian?


1. Provides much-needed cover

Bukayo Saka
Arsenal FC v Sevilla FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League 2023/24 / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

Arsenal fans know all too well that Bukayo Saka has had little, if any, rest over the course of the last three seasons and, in the last campaign, even often had to play while nursing injuries due to the lack of options on the right wing.

With Bakayoko being a natural in this position, he would provide competition but, more importantly, cover, for the England international

There is no doubting Saka's quality and, there is perhaps an argument to be had as to whether both players are too good to play second fiddle, as we saw with David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale this season but, selfishly, what a problem it would be to have!

Continued on the next slide...