Gordon's Form Collapse Makes Arsenal Move a Non-Starter

Arsenal have long been linked with Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, and there's a logical case for it—the Gunners' left-wing department could use reinforcement beyond Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, particularly with Bukayo Saka shouldering the creative burden on the opposite flank.

Former Gunners defender Emmanuel Eboue recently made the case for such a move, praising Gordon's development since his Everton departure. "I am very surprised to see the performances from Anthony Gordon," Eboue told AceOdds.com. "When he left Everton and joined Newcastle, you can see the improvement he's made and how he's changed the way he plays."

Eboue suggested Gordon would thrive at the Emirates, noting his Champions League displays: "He's a very good winger. If he comes to Arsenal, he will help the team a lot. In the Champions League, he's been great for Newcastle. I think if next year Arsenal think about getting Gordon, it would be very good."

There's just one rather significant problem: Gordon has been absolutely dreadful this season.

The Newcastle winger's form has deteriorated so dramatically that transfer insiders are now reporting Newcastle would be willing to offload him come summer. His Premier League goal tally of two for the campaign? Both penalties. That's the sort of statistic that tells you everything about a player's current standing.

Mick Brown, a former Premier League scout now contributing to Football Insider, is among those dismissing the possibility. "Gordon has been linked to Arsenal in the past," Brown explained. "But if he continues like this, the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for example won't be interested."

Brown pointed out that whilst Gordon possesses genuine attacking qualities—directness, an appetite for getting into dangerous areas—there are superior alternatives available. "He shares some qualities with Madueke, he's very direct, wants to get into attacking areas and to get at people, but if you offered me both I would take Madueke," he said.

As for Arsenal's immediate needs, Brown suggested the club's wide options are already sufficiently stocked. "For Arsenal, it seems Arteta is happy with the options he's got out wide at the moment. Madueke, Saka and Martinelli are three very good options, and then you've got the likes of Trossard to come in there too, so it's not a priority."

The fundamental issue is risk versus reward. "They would be taking a risk signing Gordon, because he's not showing at the moment that he should be playing at the very highest level," Brown continued. "Plus, it would be an expensive deal for the risk you'd be taking. They'll weigh up the pros and cons but ultimately I think it's unlikely."

Gordon may have impressed earlier in his Newcastle tenure, but his current trajectory makes him precisely the sort of expensive gamble a title-chasing Arsenal side can afford to avoid.