Ian Wright says he is ‘gutted’ Arsenal did not sign Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer window, insisting the Manchester United star would have ‘absolutely’ improved the Gunners.
Arsenal spent north of £250million last summer, building a squad capable of challenging on all fronts this season.
Mikel Arteta’s side were among 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 chose 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 at the Emirates in deals worth £52m and £60m respectively.
Title rivals Manchester City signed another player they had been linked with in Antoine Semenyo in January with Arsenal legend Wright believing both players – particularly Mbeumo – would have been astute signings.
‘He always dangerous,’ Wright said of Mbeumo, speaking on The Overlap. ‘When you see how he plays, absolutely [he would have strengthened Arsenal].
‘It’s the same 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 should have been in the race to sign Mbeumo.
The Blues enlisted the services of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens in attack but the former United captain suggested Mbeumo would have been better business than any of those options.
‘If you look at it now, Mbeumo would probably have been better for Chelsea and Arsenal than the players they got,’ Neville said.
‘I think Joao Pedro had done quite well but Mbeumo… I mean, he would have been a sensation for Arsenal wouldn’t he?
‘He’s a good signing for Manchester United, a really solid signing. I like him a lot.’