Nico Williams in action for Athletic(Image: Cesar Ortiz/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Nico Williams is my top choice Arsenal transfer - but alternative can replicate Invincibles star

22 Oct 2024, 10:35 by Joe Doyle · football.london

Arsenal have been told the ideal alternative to Nico Williams if the Gunners are unable to sign the Athletic Club attacker.

Williams wowed for club and country last season. With five goals and 11 assists last season, he helped guide Athletic to fifth in La Liga, securing a place in the Europa League. And for Spain, he grabbed two goals and an assist at Euro 2024 culminating in a dominant performance as his country lifted the trophy, beating England 2-1 in the final.

With such exciting performances aside from the statistics, interest was high in the summer over whether the young star would be making waves in the transfer market - and Arsenal were one of the interested sides.

However, the 22-year-old elected to stay in Bilbao. How long he does stay there is another question, and former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit says that the attacker should be the Gunners' top priority in the transfer market - but there is one alternative who reminds him of an Invincible - and the player in question may be easier to get.

"My dream signing is Nico Williams, but realistically Arsenal should sign Rodrygo - who can be a ‘superstar’ at the Emirates Stadium," Petit told Genting Casino. "He has so much quality and I have always said he will be such a great player for them.

"If they cannot sign Williams, Arsenal need to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid as he’s so underrated and gets overshadowed by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. He reminds me a bit of Sylvain Wiltord when I was at Arsenal. I really think he would be a star at the Emirates and be an amazing player who can play across all three positions across the front line.

"I know he was asked about Mbappe and Vinicius Jr the other day and he responded: “I am Rodrygo, look at what I did last season?" This guy is so underrated and perhaps he feels like is being overshadowed at Real Madrid?

"In any case, he could be an absolute superstar for Arsenal and I rate him very much. He scores goals, gives assists and gives great energy on the pitch."

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