Mykhaylo Mudryk over Cody Gakpo a bizarre decision but Mikel Arteta has earned the right to be unquestionable

You look at Mykhaylo Mudryk and go wow as the mercurial winger utilizes his speed, coupled with skills to skip past one two three four defenders, leaving them all in his wake and then you feel this player potentially has the world at his feet.

The Ukrainian without a doubt is one of the hottest prospects in Europe today albeit he only plays in the Ukrainian league, he has been able to earn himself more fans with his sensational displays in the Champions League group stage.

Even though Shakhtar disappointingly failed to reach the round of 16, Mudryk’s star shone brightest for the club and he was directly responsible for five of their eight goals in the group campaign. That's massive, right ? Of course.

Also in the league, he has been in stupendous form. The winger, who turns 22 next month has been directly involved in 14 goals, seven goals and as many assists in 12 games. His desire to improve hasn't gone unnoticed by staff in Shakhtar.

According to Shakhtar coach Igor Jovicevic; “When you talk to him (Mudryk), you see in his eyes only the ball and the goal of how to become better. He wants to be the best all the time – in the canteen, in the gym, in training.”

This is a player any team in the world will want to add as he offers a lot and will be good value for money in the future. Moreso, if he is able to reach his prime, he can be very decisive for his team.

Fans have been hyped by the potential of having him at the Emirates and have followed his progress ever since news broke last summer that Arsenal are interested in luring him to England.

Obviously, they could have paid a much lesser fee had they completed the deal last summer but there will be little regrets because the player has been afforded the time and chance to prove both on and off the pitch, that he deserves to wear the Arsenal shirt.

Moreso, had they signed him last summer, he will not be considered as good as he is because the time with Shakhtar this season has moulded him into a more competitive player, one already known for his abilities rather than a signing fee.

Mudryk in an interview said: “I followed Arsenal closely, they are a very dynamic side. One surprise for me is how many Arsenal fans followed me. No other club's fans have interacted as much as them.”

“They always tell me, 'come to us'. he added.

Looks pretty much like Mudryk is just getting to know the Arsenal fans because they have for long hold the reputation of closely monitoring players linked with their club. Welcome to the list, Mykhaylo.

This season has been his best and now Mikel Arteta is convinced he can now add him to the options he has, mostly due to the absence of Gabriel Jesus, who is now sidelined until the third month of the new year.

A section of the Arsenal fans have questioned the decision, why Mudryk when it is a striker that got injured and there was the chance to sign Cody Gakpo, who would have compliment the situation much better and like Mudryk, had also been linked with Arsenal.

Another reasons is that Mudryk is only a left winger, a position they already have the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson including others who can also play as a makeshift left-winger while Gakpo on the other hand can easily slot in anywhere across the front three.

The advantage of having the Dutchman also stressed to the fact that he can interchange positions well with Martinelli during play, so that in transition, Arsenal can always overload the opposing box with an attacker, which could be the winger when the striker drifts wide and vice versa, accompanied by the two No.8s.

Gakpo, an obvious better and versatile option is now on his way to Liverpool, which will directly affect Arsenal's position on the log if things go well for the Dutchman in Anfield.

Albeit the deal doesn't directly affect Arsenal, watching a player like Gakpo move to a rival club when the situation at PSV Eindhoven could have made him move to any interested buyer at the time before Liverpool submitted their first bid.

However, Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal into something of awe even for the fans of the club, who just over a year ago had doubts whether the Spaniard is indeed the right man to take them forward, now trust in his judgement.

Not too long ago they questioned his decision to sign Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Martin Ødegaard and retaining Granit Xhaka - but now, these players have turned out to be vital in their success so far and have won the fans over.

It is not just by luck that Arsenal have lost just one game in the league this season and are currently seven points ahead of second place. It is not by chance that they play so good and dominate their opponents even when comfortably ahead.

All these and more good fortunes that Arsenal are currently leading have come to be as a result of the genius of their former captain and fans are growing more believe in him with each game that goes by.

Mudryk will be a good addition but his arrival will mean Martinelli move into the center forward position in the absence of Jesus and fans are already convinced that even when Jesus returns, Arteta knows how to work his way with the players and maintain harmony in the squad.

The imminent arrival of Emile Smith Rowe from injury is an added boost for the club and fans, who will be looking forward to see their No. 10 back in action after a long spell on the sidelines.

Arsenal's first bid to Shakhtar Donesk for Mudryk has been rejected but there is optimism that the player will get his dream move to the Emirates in the winter transfer window.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi