“He’s faster than even Kyle Walker and he’s one of the fastest players I’ve seen. He’s just too fast for defenders to stop him”- Arsenal Owner Stan Kroenke reveals he’s ready to back Mikel Arteta with the signing of £60M star whose speed is compared to Usain Bolt
“He’s faster than even Kyle Walker and he’s one of the fastest players I’ve seen. He’s just too fast for defenders to stop him”- Arsenal Owner Stan Kroenke reveals he’s ready to back Mikel Arteta with the signing of £60M star whose speed is compared to Usain Bolt
In a recent appearance on talkSPORT, Stan Kroenke, Arsenal’s owner, has made it clear why he believes the club should sign Pedro Neto this summer.
To understand why Neto is a target, we must first recognize the areas where Arsenal needs improvement. Despite their strengths, one glaring weakness is the lack of depth in the right-wing position, currently dominated by their young star, Bukayo Saka.
Saka, at just 23 years old, has been pivotal for Arsenal. This season alone, he is one of the top three most-played players in the Premier League for the club, clocking 2,060 minutes. Only William Saliba and Declan Rice have played more. Last season, Saka played 3,191 minutes in league matches, only behind Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Magalhaes.
While these numbers highlight Saka’s reliability, they also raise concerns. Such a heavy workload on a young player can lead to fatigue and burnout. Managing his game time is crucial for his development and long-term performance. Giving Saka adequate rest would help maintain his freshness, unpredictability, and reduce the risk of injuries. But this begs the question: who can step in when Saka needs a break?
Currently, Arsenal lacks a suitable replacement for Saka. This is a concern for manager Mikel Arteta, who has been actively searching for a right-winger to add depth to the squad. Pedro Neto has emerged as a prime candidate for this role.
Neto, a Portuguese international, has impressed many, including former Premier League player and current talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent. Bent argues that Neto would be an ideal backup for Saka, praising his speed and ability to add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack. According to Bent, Neto’s quickness and skill in creating opportunities make him a valuable asset.
Stan Kroenke echoed these sentiments, expressing his desire to see Neto at Arsenal. He emphasized the importance of rotating Saka to keep him fresh and believes Neto’s speed and playmaking abilities would be a perfect fit for the team. Kroenke noted, “When Wolves break and Neto has the ball, good luck keeping up with him.”
Neto, at 23 years old, has shown great potential. Despite facing injuries in the past, he remains a formidable winger. This season, he has already scored two goals and provided nine assists in 16 games, showcasing his knack for generating opportunities for his teammates.
However, signing Neto will not come cheap. Reports suggest that Arsenal will need to be ready to pay around £60 million for him. Despite the high price tag, bringing Neto to the Emirates could secure the right wing for Arsenal for years to come.
In conclusion, the addition of Pedro Neto to Arsenal’s squad would address a significant weakness and provide much-needed depth to the right-wing position. With his speed, creativity, and ability to deputize for Saka, Neto could play a crucial role in helping Arsenal achieve their goals in the upcoming seasons.
