‘Ridiculous’ Arsenal-linked striker ranks higher than Kroos, Grealish and Saka in top 100 list

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The Guardian have released their list of the 100 best male footballers in the world in 2021 and Bukayo Saka is the only Arsenal player who has made it. He is, however, joined by a reported Gunners target.

Mikel Arteta heads into the January transfer window with some work to do. They are in a decent position in the league at the moment, but the situation surrounding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future could dictate what Arsenal will do in the window.

If the Gabon star is sold, the Gunners will need a new striker. Arteta’s side have been linked with a number of centre-forwards over the last few months, but none more so than Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbian has made his way into Guardian’s top 100 list after what has been an incredible year for him.

Arsenal-linked Vlahovic ranks higher than Saka in top 100 list

The Guardian are yet to release their top 10, which will include the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe among others.

Vlahovic, who has scored 33 goals in the Serie A this season, has been ranked 57th, which may seem a bit underwhelming at first, but he has outranked a number of superstars.

The likes of Jack Grealish (61), Toni Kroos (65), Ederson (75), Antoine Griezmann (76), Roberto Firmino (80) and Arsenal’s very own Saka (95) have all been placed lower than the Serbian, which is a huge compliment to the year he has had.

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Should Arsenal sign the Serbian?

The simple answer would be yes, Arsenal should do everything they possibly can to get this deal over the line.

Vlahovic, labelled as ‘ridiculous‘ by Micah Richards, has been one of the best players in the Italian top-flight since the start of last season. He recently equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning Serie A record of most goals scored in a calendar year, netting 33 times in what has been a phenomenal 12 months for him.

Arsenal will definitely not be the only ones in the race to sign him. He will be one of the hottest players on the market in the summer, but if the Gunners can make an offer that he can’t refuse in January, Arteta and Edu could well get their man.

It’s extremely unlikely, but not impossible.