Paul Merson's Warning to Arsenal: Must Secure Barcola After Vinicius
Arsenal have spent the early weeks of the summer quietly building the spine of their title defence. Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis are through the door, the squad looks deeper, more robust. But in one key area, Paul Merson sees a glaring hole – and a serious risk.
The left wing
Leandro Trossard is gone, sold to Besiktas, and Merson believes the Premier League champions have backed themselves into a corner that now makes the next move absolutely critical.
“He’s playing Arsenal”
The headline name is obvious. Vinicius Junior. Arsenal have been linked with an audacious swoop for the Real Madrid star, a move that would have been laughed off a few years ago but now reflects the club’s new standing in the market.
Merson, though, isn’t buying the romance of it.
“Vinicius Junior is just looking for a new contract at Real Madrid. He’s playing Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports, cutting straight through the noise.
To Merson, the saga says less about Arsenal’s chances of landing the Brazilian and more about the level at which they are now operating.
“But this is where Arsenal are now. This is the market they’re in. 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 status is flattering. The reality, harsher. If Vinicius signs fresh terms at the Bernabeu, Arsenal are back at square one on the left flank – and that is where Merson’s message sharpens.
Barcola or bust on the left
The club’s search for a winger has been no secret. Mikel Arteta wants a top-level wide player, someone who can raise the ceiling of the attack and offer more than Gabriel Martinelli did last season, especially now that Trossard has been moved on.
Liverpool are circling Bradley Barcola. Merson thinks Arsenal cannot afford to let that battle go the other way.
“If Arsenal don’t get Vinicius, then they have to get Bradley Barcola,” he insisted. “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.”
That’s the crux of his argument: the champions have created a need that must now be filled at the very top end of the market. With Liverpool also prioritising wide reinforcements, losing Barcola to Anfield would sting twice – weakening Arsenal’s depth and strengthening a direct rival.
Trossard sale “not good business”
Merson’s concern starts with the decision that created the gap. Trossard’s departure to Besiktas might free up wages and a squad place, but in his eyes it strips Arsenal of a proven, high-IQ attacker who delivered in big moments.
“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.
“There are a lot of good players but not a lot of good footballers out there. He came under that second category.”
That line cuts deep. In a squad chasing fine margins, Merson sees Trossard as exactly the kind of technically sharp, tactically flexible forward you keep – unless you’re absolutely certain of what comes next.
Right now, that certainty doesn’t exist. It’s a chase: Vinicius at the top of the wish list, Barcola as the next in line, Liverpool lurking.
Arsenal have shown they can shop at the very top table. The question now is simple and unforgiving: in the position that could decide a title race, will they land the winger Merson says they “have to” get, or walk into the new season one short on the left?
