Arsenal have been blessed with some incredible attacking players over the years.
In Mikel Arteta’s team today, you have the talismanic Bukayo Saka, who over time could become one of the greatest players the club has ever had.
Go back a couple of decades, and you reach the man with the current title in Thierry Henry, but you go back even further than that, and you hit the record-breaking Ian Wright.
The iconic forward was a force to be reckoned with during his time in North London, and while he was a unique player and character, it looks like Arsenal could be about to sign someone who could be a modern version of the Englishman.
Arsenal target attacking superstar
It’s been a brilliant summer of transfer business for Arsenal so far, with the stand-out acquisition undoubtedly being Viktor Gyokeres for around £63.5m including add-ons.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Swedish international racked up an astounding 54 goals and 13 assists in just 52 games last season, and therefore could be the key to turning the defensively solid Gunners into an attacking tour de force next season.
On top of the former Coventry City star, Andrea Berta and Co have also added the likes of Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga to the side.
However, even though the club have been jam-packed in the market, they don’t appear done just yet, as they now appear keen on an international who could be their new Wright.
At least that is according to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that Arsenal are still incredibly interested in Eberechi Eze.
The Italian journalist claims that the Crystal Palace star is now their “top target” and that they have been in talks with the player’s camp.
However, it could be a financially complicated transfer to get over the line, as reports from earlier this week claimed that the South Londoners want buying clubs to pay the Englishman’s £67.5m release clause, and that the first payment has to be a lump sum of around £30m.
While that is a lot of money to spend, it would be worth it for Eze, as he’s more than proven his ability over the years and could even be Arsenal’s new Wright.
Why Eze could be the new Wright
So, the first thing to say is that, yes, Eze plays in a very different position to the one Wright played in during his career, but this comparison is not really about that.
Instead, there are several other easy comparisons to make between the two players, with the first being that, should this deal go ahead, it would be another example of the Gunners going back to Crystal Palace and signing their most important attacking outlet.
Moreover, while he’s not an old player, like Gyokeres, the former QPR gem is older than other players the Gunners have tended to target in recent years, coming in at 27 years old, and when the former Arsenal striker moved to Highbury in 1991, he did so at 28 years old.
The next similarity is that the midfield “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is also a dangerous player in front of goal.
While he’s never going to have the goalscoring numbers of the former England international, due to his position, he’s still a genuine threat, much like the Gunners great, as over the last two campaigns for the Eagles, he’s been able to amass a seriously impressive tally of 25 goals and provided 17 assists in 79 appearances, totalling 5588 minutes.
Appearances
36
43
Minutes
2285′
3303′
Goals
11
14
Assists
6
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
134.41′
132.12′
In other words, the Greenwich-born “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, has averaged a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 133.04 minutes across two years for a team that is mid-table at best.
On top of that, the former Hale Ender has shown an ability to take games by the scruff of the neck like Wright used to, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the FA Cup to deliver Palace their first ever major trophy.
Finally, while it was some time ago now, the 61-year-old goal machine was also a tremendously entertaining player to watch when he was in red and white, and while he has a different style of play due to his primary position, you can say the same thing about the Eagles star.
Ultimately, while it won’t be an easy deal to get over the line, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Eze this summer, as he has the potential to follow in Wright’s footsteps and help guide the club back to the glory days.
Arteta's new Saka: Berta working to sign "incredible" £86m star for Arsenal
The sensational winger could be a real game-changer for Arsenal.
ByJack Salveson HolmesJul 30, 2025