Battle for hugely promising youngster between Emirates Stadium and the Etihad.
Arsenal are currently frontrunners to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in January as they bid to boost their attacking options, according to the Daily Mail, but Manchester City
Gunners chief scout Steve Rowley was at the Eagles’ game against Leicester City, and the 19 year-old played his part in a fine away victory at the King Power Stadium.
The fact that Arsenal are watching Zaha though only raises questions about the future of Theo Walcott though, with the England wide man out of contract at the end of the season.
Walcott is reportedly demanding £100,000 per week for his services, with Arsenal’s offer widely thought to be around £75,000, and the player and club seem no closer to reaching any kind of compromise.
Zaha would be an obvious replacement as he shares a few of the same attributes – young, quick, and er… English, but his ability on the ball is arguably better than the man he could replace and he certainly has a box of tricks.
He would also be content to play on the wing, and with Arsenal lacking pace in wide areas against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend in the absence of Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain it is easy to see how he could be used.
In Walcott’s defence, it was only when he came on as a substitute against QPR that the game opened up.
Whether he is worth £100,000 per week though, is up for debate, and should Arsenal need to replace him it will not be an easy task.
With Crystal Palace steadfastly refusing to sell, Arsene Wenger will have work on his hands convincing them to let their prize asset go.
What’s more, any club entering a bidding war with Manchester City knows there is likely to be only one winner.
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