Wat-Not Staff
In a recent interview, former Arsenal defender William Gallas has encouraged the club’s manager, Mikel Arteta, to make a move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s young Brazilian forward Joao Pedro during the January transfer window. Gallas believes that the 22-year-old attacker could play a pivotal role in Arsenal’s Premier League title bid this season, emphasizing the need for reinforcements in the attacking department.
Pedro’s Rising Stock at Brighton
Joao Pedro has made a significant impact since his arrival at Brighton from Watford in 2023. The Brazilian forward has scored 22 goals and provided three assists in 43 appearances, marking him as one of the Premier League’s emerging talents. Known for his goalscoring ability, Pedro also excels in link-up play and dribbling, making him a versatile forward capable of fitting into Arsenal’s system.
Pedro’s start to the 2024-25 campaign has been equally impressive, having netted two goals in his first three games. This includes a crucial strike in Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal, further underlining his potential to influence big games. Despite his standout performances, his current contract with Brighton runs until 2028, and his market value is estimated at £38 million, though the Seagulls are likely to demand a higher fee for his services.
Gallas’ Call for January Move
Gallas, who played a significant role in Arsenal’s defense during his career, stated that Pedro could be the “man to make a difference” for the Gunners, particularly in their quest for the Premier League title. In an interview with *Gambling Zone*, Gallas highlighted the need for Arsenal to act swiftly, suggesting that they may have already missed the ideal opportunity by not securing Pedro’s signature during the summer transfer window.
“It would have to be a huge bid for Brighton to sell in January,” Gallas explained. “Arsenal need more goals, and Joao Pedro has a big future at one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. But he might join too late—they should’ve gone for him in the summer.”
With the title race intensifying, Gallas believes that bringing in Pedro during the January window could bolster Arsenal’s attacking options. He emphasized that while Gabriel Jesus is a talented striker, his injury record and fitness issues could hinder Arsenal’s progress unless further reinforcements are brought in. Pedro, with his attacking prowess, could be the answer to Arsenal’s need for more goals and attacking depth.
Arsenal’s Current Striker Situation
Arsenal’s current striker options include Gabriel Jesus, who has been struggling with injuries and has made just one appearance this season. The Brazilian forward has had a mixed spell at Arsenal since his transfer from Manchester City in 2022, scoring 11 Premier League goals in his debut season but only managing four goals last season. His fitness issues have continued into the current campaign, forcing Arteta to explore other options in the attack.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been the club’s top scorers in recent seasons, but Gallas feels that adding another goalscoring threat like Pedro could significantly improve Arsenal’s chances in the league. Pedro’s arrival would provide Arteta with more tactical flexibility and reduce the dependency on Jesus, Saka, and Martinelli to deliver goals.
Arsenal’s Start to the 2024-25 Season
Arsenal has had a solid start to the 2024-25 Premier League season, remaining unbeaten in their first three matches with two wins and a draw. However, as the competition heats up, it is clear that the Gunners need more firepower to challenge Manchester City and other top clubs for the title.
Their next big challenge comes against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby on September 15. With Arsenal aiming to maintain momentum, a potential move for Pedro in January could add much-needed depth and attacking flair to their title pursuit.
Potential Challenges of a January Transfer
While Gallas is advocating for a January move, he acknowledges the difficulties of signing players during the winter window. “It’s so difficult for strikers to come in and make an impact after joining in the winter,” Gallas stated. January transfers often require players to adapt quickly to new teams, and Pedro’s transition could face similar challenges. However, Gallas remains confident that Pedro could still make a valuable contribution if Arsenal acts decisively.
Brighton, on the other hand, would be reluctant to let their star forward leave midway through the season, especially given their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions. The Seagulls are likely to demand a substantial fee, which could make negotiations complex for Arsenal.
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