Arsenal’s busy summer window continues to heat up as the new Premier League season draws closer. The Gunners are just one week away from the opening game of the campaign, where they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace.
A number of new faces will make the trip, with five signings and over £100million spent in the transfer market so far. Mikel Arteta may not stop there though, as a whole host of players continue to be linked with a switch to the Emirates.
The latest of those is West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who Arsenal are said to have enquired about with their London rivals. The 25-year-old was influential for the Hammers last season, contributing 31 times in scoring or assisting goals across all competitions.
It’s the sort of form that has seen Bowen receive a senior England national team call-up earlier this year. Manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for the versatile forward, outlining why he would fit perfectly at Arsenal: “I think Jarrod adapted really well, he looked dangerous from the start.
“He probably had most of our attempts on goal, couldn’t quite find that final bit of quality to actually steer the finishes past the keeper but his runs were dangerous, he pressed with endeavour for the team and so I’m sure he’ll be really pleased with the way he has done.”
That is something agreed with by former Arsenal forward Paul Merson. The pundit described him as “outstanding” when discussing him earlier this year: “He’s an outstanding player and has gone from strength to strength since swapping Hull City for West Ham – I can’t believe it took so much time for Gareth Southgate to call him up!
“When West Ham have a big game coming up, he’s a player – along with Declan Rice – who gets rested and that just shows how much he’s grown in stature. Come to think of it, he reminds me of a forward version of James Milner – reliable, honest and works his socks off for the team.”
It’s the sort of character that seems to fit the mould of Arteta’s current squad make up. However, he doesn’t just have to hear it from his national team manager and pundits as to why he would suit a switch to Arsenal.
That’s because goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has also spoken about his England teammate when the two were caught up in an incident last season. In a clash with West Ham, the shot-stopper came rushing out to stop Bowen from having a clear chance through on goal.
The attacker jinked the ball past Ramsdale, but went to ground under little to no contact. While it seemed as though a sending off could have occurred, Bowen turned to the referee and pleaded with him, telling the official that there was no contact and it shouldn’t be a foul.
Talking about the incident afterwards, Ramsdale said: “I didn’t touch him. I spoke to him. He is a good lad. I didn’t actually touch him at all. He was honest. He jumped straight back up and said, ‘No, no, no. It wasn’t a foul’. Fair play to him.”
It shows he has the skill and the character needed to fit in an Arsenal side under their current philosophy. It remains to be seen whether a concrete offer will be made, but the Gunners could have a gem on their hands if they make a move.
