'Missed a trick': Paul Merson says he wishes Arsenal signed 'incredible' player who's now joined their rivals

Arsenal’s 2024/25 campaign is now up and running with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wolves.

Mikel Arteta will be delighted with how his side breezed past Wolves on Saturday to get their season off to the perfect start.

But when it comes to the transfer window, Arsenal have not exactly lit up the market with only one signing through the door.

The Gunners may not have to wait long to see their second addition land in north London with Mikel Merino closing in on a move.

Arsenal have now agreed on a fee with Real Sociedad to sign Merino after weeks of talks going on between the two clubs.

However, there is one player who Paul Merson believes Arsenal may have missed a trick on by not signing this summer.

• READ MORE: What Mikel Merino did at Real Sociedad on Saturday morning after Arsenal reached agreement to sign him

Paul Merson thinks Arsenal should have signed ‘incredible’ Chelsea player

Arsenal have been looking to add to their attack this summer given they were unable to rely on the goals from Gabriel Jesus last season.

Victor Osimhen is a player who Arsenal have identified as a target but they are also facing competition from some of Europe’s top clubs.

Chelsea are another side interested in Osimhen but Merson has now said the Blues have already beaten Arsenal to the signature of one top talent this summer.

• READ MORE: Arsenal are now targeting £21m player who could already have received an offer from Tottenham this summer

Arsenal had shown a real interest in the ‘incredible’ Pedro Neto this summer as he looked destined to leave Wolves.

However, Arsenal – and Tottenham Hotspur – were beaten to the signing of Neto by Chelsea in a deal worth around £55m.

“I think Arsenal missed a trick with him. I think he goes to Arsenal and he takes the workload off of Saka and Martinelli,” Merson said on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday [12:37pm].

Arsenal signing Pedro Neto would have been a real statement

Despite his injury issues, signing Neto this summer would have been a real big statement from the Gunners ahead of the new season.

Of course, it would have been a big money move for a player who may not necessarily have started given the quality of Bukayo Saka but it would’ve showed Arsenal’s ambition.

Manchester City have not done much in the summer window and adding a player of Neto’s ilk would have shown City just what the Gunners were about coming into the new season.

Aside from adding much better quality to the squad depth, Neto would have allowed Arteta to rotate more freely with Saka.

But that would have come at a hefty price and there is certainly an argument to be made that Arsenal could land a good backup for the England international for a fraction of the price Neto demanded.