Paul Merson Urges Arsenal to Sign Bradley Barcola

Paul Merson believes Arsenal have backed themselves into a corner on the left wing – and that it now leaves them with no choice but to beat Liverpool to Bradley Barcola.

The Premier League champions have already moved decisively in other areas, bringing in Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis. The next step is clear: a top-class winger. With Leandro Trossard sold to Besiktas and doubts over Gabriel Martinelli’s consistency, Mikel Arteta’s squad suddenly looks light in a position that has been central to their title push.

Arsenal’s recruitment team are aiming high. Reports of an ambitious move for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior underline the club’s new standing in the market. For Merson, though, that pursuit comes with a warning label.

“Vinicius Junior is just looking for a new contract at Real Madrid. He’s playing Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports, suggesting the Brazilian’s name being linked with north London has as much to do with leverage as genuine availability.

Yet Merson sees that in itself as a marker of Arsenal’s rise.

“This is where Arsenal are now. This is the market they’re in,” he said. “Arsenal are looking to buy someone from Real Madrid, one of the top players. It just shows you where Arsenal are in the market. It’s a big worry for all the other teams in the league, in my opinion.”

The concern, from his perspective, is what happens if that marquee move doesn’t materialise. That is where Bradley Barcola comes in – and where Liverpool enter the story.

The PSG winger has been on Liverpool’s radar, but Merson insists Arsenal cannot afford to let this one slip.

“If Arsenal don’t get Vinicius, then they have to get Bradley Barcola,” he argued. The reason is simple: numbers and quality on the left. “They have to get a left winger in, especially now Leandro Trossard has left. They left themselves very short in that position. And if Arsenal don’t get Vinicius or Barcola, then it’s a major worry.”

Merson’s frustration really centres on the Trossard decision. For him, that departure has created a problem Arsenal now need to spend big to fix.

“For them to let Trossard go is not good business in my opinion – not for what you’re selling,” he said. “He went for literally nothing. I can’t believe that half the Premier League weren’t after Trossard. He played in all the big games for Arsenal last season and he’s a brilliant footballer.”

The distinction matters to Merson. “There are a lot of good players but not a lot of good footballers out there. He came under that second category.”

Arsenal have strengthened smartly in several areas this summer, but on the left flank they have turned a position of depth into a potential fault line. With Liverpool circling Barcola and Vinicius seemingly locked into Real Madrid, the champions now face a stark question: do they land an elite winger, or walk into a title defence with a hole of their own making?