Paul Merson urges Arsenal to sign Barcola after Trossard exit

Arsenal have spent the summer sharpening the spine of their squad. Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, Christos Tzolis – three smart, structural signings for the Premier League champions.

But the real argument, in Paul Merson’s eyes, sits out on the left touchline.

Arsenal have sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, opened up a key role in Mikel Arteta’s attack and stepped into the kind of market they used to watch from a distance. Top-tier wingers. Champions League superstars. Players who move the dial.

And that is exactly why Merson believes the club cannot afford to miss on their next move.

“Vinicius is playing Arsenal”

Reports have linked Arsenal with an audacious push for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, the kind of transfer that underlines just how far the club have climbed under Arteta.

Merson, though, is not buying the romance.

“Vinicius Junior is just looking for a new contract at Real Madrid. He’s playing Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports, cutting straight through the noise.

For him, the story here is not so much the player as the marketplace.

“But this is where Arsenal are now. This is the market they’re in.

“Arsenal are looking to buy someone from Real Madrid, one of the top players. It just shows you where Arsenal are in the market.

“It’s a big worry for all the other teams in the league, in my opinion.”

The message is clear: Arsenal are shopping at the very top shelf. That comes with glamour. It also comes with risk.

Why Barcola becomes a “have to” signing

If Vinicius stays at the Bernabeu, Merson believes Arsenal’s next move is non-negotiable.

“If Arsenal don’t get Vinicius, then they have to get Bradley Barcola,” he said, turning the spotlight on the PSG winger, who is also on Liverpool’s radar.

The logic is blunt. Arsenal have let Trossard go. They are unconvinced that Gabriel Martinelli alone can carry the left flank across a title defence and a deep European campaign. They need a top-class left winger, now.

“They have to get a left winger in, especially now Leandro Trossard has left. They left themselves very short in that position.

“And if Arsenal don’t get Vinicius or Barcola, then it’s a major worry.”

The concern is not just about missing out on a star name. It is about depth, balance and the ability to rotate without a drop-off, something that defined Arsenal’s run last season.

With Liverpool also hunting wide reinforcements, the Barcola chase is not just about strengthening. It is about stopping a rival from doing the same.

Trossard sale branded “not good business”

Underpinning Merson’s urgency is his disbelief at how Arsenal have handled Trossard’s departure.

“For them to let Trossard go is not good business in my opinion – not for what you’re selling,” he said.

“He went for literally nothing. I can’t believe that half the Premier League weren’t after Trossard. He played in all the big games for Arsenal last season and he’s a brilliant footballer.”

Trossard’s versatility, knack for big goals and comfort in tight spaces made him a key squad piece in Arteta’s rotation. Losing that profile, in Merson’s view, has created a hole that now demands an elite solution.

“There are a lot of good players but not a lot of good footballers out there. He came under that second category.”

Arsenal, then, have set themselves a challenge. They have moved on a player Merson rates as a rare “footballer” and stepped into a market where the margin for error is thin and the competition is fierce.

They want Vinicius. They are tracking Barcola. They need a left winger.

The champions have raised their own bar. Now they have to clear it.