I personally want Him to join Arsenal but if He chooses Man united,let it be known that this is the downfall of His career”,Theo Walcott says he wanted Arsenal to sign £43m player who’s about to join Man United Today as deal confirmed

Theo Walcott has expressed his personal desire to see Matthijs de Ligt join Arsenal, but he acknowledges that if the Dutch defender opts for Manchester United instead, it could mark a turning point in his career. Walcott, a former Arsenal star, made these comments following reports that Manchester United is set to finalize a £43 million deal for de Ligt, who had previously been linked with a move to the Premier League.

Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has grown into one of Europe’s top football teams, emerging as genuine contenders for major titles. The team’s success has been built on a strong defensive foundation, with Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba forming one of the Premier League’s most formidable center-back partnerships. Last season, Arsenal conceded the fewest goals in the league, largely thanks to the solidity provided by these two defenders.

However, Walcott revealed in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live that he believed Matthijs de Ligt would have been an excellent addition to Arsenal’s defense during a period when the team’s center-backs were not as strong. Walcott saw de Ligt as the type of player who could have significantly bolstered Arsenal’s backline, especially during the club’s transitional phase.

“When there was talk about him coming to the Premier League, I thought Arsenal could really use someone like him,” Walcott said. “He’s the kind of player who could have made a big difference when the team was going through a rough patch with their center-backs.”

Despite missing out on de Ligt, Arsenal has already strengthened their defense by signing Riccardo Calafiori earlier in the transfer window. With the backline now well-stocked, the focus for Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar should shift to improving the attack.

Arsenal has been linked with several strikers, including Viktor Gyökeres and Victor Osimhen, but these potential deals are complicated by the high financial demands involved. As a more cost-effective alternative, Arsenal might consider pursuing Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán, who is reportedly available for around £40 million.

As the transfer window progresses, Arsenal’s priority will be to ensure they have the right balance in their squad, particularly in the attacking department, to continue their push for titles. Meanwhile, Walcott and other fans will watch closely to see how de Ligt’s career unfolds at Manchester United, should the transfer be finalized.