John Barnes doesn’t think Arsenal need Wilfried Zaha

John Barnes has suggested that Arsenal do not need to sign Wilfried Zaha from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window.

The former Liverpool star believes that the Gunners already have enough creative and attacking players in their squad.

Barnes has also suggested why the former Manchester United winger is unlikely to get the chance to play for a top-six club in the Premier League anytime soon.

The Daily Star reported in August that Arsenal are interested in the 27-year-old Ivory Coast international, with manager Mikel Arteta a secret admirer of the winger, who is rated at 4/1 by Betfair  to make the switch to the North London outfit this summer.

Barnes said about Zaha: “The problem with Arsenal is not their lack of creativity as they have the likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette and Saka, their problem is their squad depth. They have plenty of attacking options but need better defensively minded players to really compete with the best in the league. 

“People talk about why Wilfried Zaha isn’t being snapped up by any of the top six Premier League sides, but that is because he doesn’t suit any of them. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool don’t need him, he has already been at Manchester United which didn’t work out and Arsenal have too many like-minded players to him.

“He suits playing for Crystal Palace the most, as he does what he wants, plays in a free role and the fans at the club loves him, he also doesn’t get criticised if he plays badly. If he was to want a new challenge then fair enough, but currently, none of the top six sides would be good for him.”

Stats

Zaha has scored three goals in two Premier League appearances for Palace so far this season, while during the 2019-20 campaign, the winger scored four goals and provided three assists in 38 league games, according to WhoScored.

During the 2018-19 campaign, the 27-year-old scored 10 goals and provided five assists in the league, while in 2017-18, he scored nine goals and provided three assists in the league, according to WhoScored.

Palace are an established club in the Premier League, but the Eagles are unlikely to challenge for the European places anytime soon.