Arsenal should tread carefully in pursuit of Wilfried Zaha

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Arsenal and Chelsea are set to do battle for £80m-rated Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha during the January transfer window, according to the Express.

The Gunners were linked with a move during the summer but the £80 million price tag eventually deterred them.

Nicolas Pepe was added for £72 million (BBC Sport) and he hasn’t really lived up to such a valuation following his switch from Lille.

As a result, Arsenal must tread very carefully before deciding to make a move for Zaha.

Since the summer-long debacle surrounding his future, the 27-year-old has seen his form dip drastically.

The man with 17 caps for the Ivory Coast has scored twice and registered two assists from his 17 appearances this season.

Last season he netted 10 goals and claimed 10 assists – hardly the form of a player rated so highly by Crystal Palace.

Given the below-par start made to life at the Emirates, perhaps Zaha is one they should allow Chelsea to pursue without getting involved.

Pepe looked quality against West Ham on Monday night and there will be hope that he can become a good player.

At 24 there is still scope for him to improve and he did score 23 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

Zaha has often produced form in fits and bursts and Arsenal shouldn’t take another big-money risk on a wide player.

Concerns elsewhere

The Gunners defending this season has been bordering on tragic and that is an area which needs immediate attention.

Signing the Palace man isn’t a necessity and at £80 million it shouldn’t even cross the mind of Arsenal to enter the race again.

Paid £130,000-a-week (Spotrac) he is likely to demand a more lucrative contract at the Emirates and his poor form this season wouldn’t see him offer any value for money.

Arsenal have wasted enough money on various players in recent times and that trait is one that needs to stop.