Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is back in the news and this time it is Arsenal who are linked with a move for the Frenchman. The Daily Mirror linked Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with an interest in landing his countryman as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez.
With his eyes set on the exit door and a potential reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Arsenal are bracing for life without their star forward, Alexis Sanchez.
And, top of their agenda to replace Sanchez is Martial. Martial has been a long-term target for Wenger who tracked him at AS Monaco before United swooped for him in 2015 for £36m (which could potentially rise to £58m).
What must have given hope for Wenger is the frosty relationship between Martial and Jose Mourinho. Ever since the Portuguese tactician arrived at the club, the French forward has struggled for regular place.
The 21-year-old has been largely limited to appearances as a substitute this season and that too on the wings and not in his preferred position up front. Is that enough for Wenger to believe a switch to the Emirates is possible? Quite probably because we all know that the Frenchman is clutching at straws these days.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has heaped praise on the youngster this week, saying that Martial was a far better player than what he was at that age. That encouraged Ladbrokes to slash the price from 12/1 to 2/1 to make the move.
According to Alex Apati of Ladbrokes:
“Martial has been one of Mourinho’s stand out players so far this season, but it looks like the United gaffer could offer the forward to the Gunners in order to seal a reunion with Ozil.”
But, will Martial follow the footsteps of Danny Welbeck who joined Arsenal in 2014 and make the move? Mourinho may like Ozil but he will loathe losing Martial in exchange. Remember the summer when he dropped out of the chase for Ivan Perisic when Inter Milan wanted Martial in exchange?
Martial wouldn’t be willing to leave a club that is on the ascendancy and join the Gunners who are tumbling from one disaster to another. It would be a miracle if Arsenal win the Premier League title this year, where even finishing in the top-four is looking beyond them.
Ladbrokes, in my opinion, has got this wrong.
