Arsenal at Champions League game after links to three players – Gunners transfer update

Arsenal were one of several Premier League sides in Porto this week to watch the Portuguese side take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

In what was largely a forgettable game – PSV won 1-0 thanks to a Guus Til goal – the main attraction appeared to be in the stands.

That’s because half of the Premier League had scouts in attendance to watch the game between the two sides. Who they were there for, remains a mystery.

Sport Witness have already reported on the likes of Everton, Tottenham and Newcastle and now we can add Arsenal to the list. A Bola insist that they were in the stands to watch the game but make no mention of whom they were there to watch.

An educated guess, though, would be either William Gomes, Victor Froholdt or Oskar Pietuszewski. Why? Because all three have already been linked with a potential move to the Emirates.

For instance, a report in June linked Gomes with a move, while that same month Froholdt was also reportedly in the Gunners’ sights. Indeed, that month was very Porto focused with this report naming Pietuszewski as a target.

Porto struggle

Sadly, for Arsenal, none of that trio impressed in this game. Pietuszewski was Porto’s lowest rated player, receiving a 5.84 from WhoScored. Froholdt didn’t fare much better, managing a 5.99. Gomes didn’t play so he’s off the hook.

It was a bad night across the board for the Portuguese side, with right-back Alberto Costa the only player to get above a seven rating.

PSV fared better as six of their players scored seven or better. Sven Mijnans topped that list on a 7.64. Sergino Dest, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Yarek Gasiorowski, Guus Til and Lutsharel Geertruida were the other top scorers.

A new winger?

It’s hard to see Arsenal being interested in the top two, but Bajraktarevic could be of interest. He’s been earning admirers in the Premier League for a while with his performances in the Netherlands. And he also impressed at the World Cup with Bosnia.

Arsenal are well covered on the right wing at present with Bukayo Saka, Max Dowman and Noni Madueke. But there have been rumblings about the latter in recent weeks as he looks to force himself into contention more often.

That could potentially open the door. And the 21-year-old will have certainly impressed with his performance in this game. If not, it seems it was a wasted trip to watch the Porto trio who have already been targeted.