Arsenal’s supporters are desperate to see new signings arrive at the Emirates Stadium this summer and some are now urging Edu to sign the club’s very own Lionel Messi in the shape of Rennes star Jérémy Doku.
Italy and Belgium served up one of the most entertaining international matches in recent years on Friday night in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
Considered as the tie of the round ahead of kick-off, Italy maintained their ambition of winning their first major trophy since 2006 by running out 2-1 winners.
First-half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne fired Roberto Mancini’s side into a two-goal lead before Belgium reduced the deficit right on the stroke of half-time through a Romelu Lukaku penalty.
He was constantly flying down Belgium’s left-wing with the ball at his feet, terrorising the Italian defenders with his remarkable levels of speed and athleticism.
It was an outstanding performance and one that earned special praise from his manager, Roberto Martinez, after the match.
“Jeremy has been growing in the camp and the last three days he showed he was ready as you saw today,” Martinez explained.
“It was clear that he had energy we could use. He never looked like a young player in that game. I don’t think the occasion got to him at all.”
Doku’s performance not only earned praise and admiration from Martinez, but also from football fans across the globe who were watching on TV.
Amongst those to have taken a liking to Doku was Arsenal’s supporters who were certainly impressed by what they saw from the Rennes youngster, who has previously admitted that Arsenal were interested in him ahead of his 16th birthday.
“I was going to be 16 and that was the age you can sign a pro contract. A lot of teams came to see me,” Doku told Ouest-France earlier this year.
“Everyone talks about Liverpool because it was the most concrete interest but there was also Arsenal and Chelsea.”
Unsurprisingly, Doku’s performance for Belgium last night got Arsenal’s fans talking, so much so that some supporters are pleading with the club to try and lure him to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
As you can see from the messages displayed above, several Gunners fans would love to see the left-winger join Arsenal this summer and add a different element to Mikel Arteta’s attacking options.
Doku was sensational in almost every part of his game against Italy in a European Championship quarter-final at the age of just 19, suggesting that he will become even better in years to come, meaning that his ceiling will be massive.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
Currently on the books of Ligue 1 side Rennes, Doku, who is valued at £19.8million by transfermarkt, was a regular during the 2020/21 campaign, racking up a total of 44 appearances in all competitions.
He scored four goals and claimed eight assists in total, which is a very respectable return for a player of his age.