Ian Wright says he’s ‘gutted’ Arsenal did not sign Bryan Mbeumo in the summertime transfer window, insisting the Manchester United star would have ‘absolutely’ improved the Gunners.
Arsenal spent north of £250million last summer, constructing a squad able to difficult on all fronts this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were amongst those credited with interest in Mbeumo following his excellent 2024-25 campaign with Brentford, scoring 20 Premier League goals.
Newcastle United and Tottenham were also keen on the Cameroon international. While there was no shortage of interest, Mbeumo selected United, thriving at Old Trafford this season with 10 goals under his belt in 22 appearances.
United spent £65million on Mbeumo with Arsenal strengthening their attack with Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze who arrived on the Emirates in deals price £52m and £60m respectively.
Title rivals Manchester City signed one other player they’d been linked with in Antoine Semenyo in January with Arsenal legend Wright believing each players – particularly Mbeumo – would have been astute signings.
‘He all the time dangerous,’ Wright said of Mbeumo, speaking on The Overlap. ‘If you see how he plays, absolutely [he would have strengthened Arsenal].
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‘It’s the identical with Semenyo, you watch Semenyo and think, “I could see him at Arsenal”. I could see Mbeumo at Arsenal as well. Gutted.’
Gary Neville was in agreement, also suggesting Chelsea must have been within the race to sign Mbeumo.
The Blues enlisted the services of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens in attack but the previous United captain suggested Mbeumo would have been higher business than any of those options.
‘When you have a look at it now, Mbeumo would probably have been higher for Chelsea and Arsenal than the players they got,’ Neville said.
‘I believe Joao Pedro had done quite well but Mbeumo… I mean, he would have been a sensation for Arsenal wouldn’t he?
‘He’s a very good signing for Manchester United, a very solid signing. I like him lots.’
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