Roy Hodgson makes Patrick van Aanholt claim amid Arsenal links

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Roy Hodgson has claimed – in comments reported by the Daily Mail – that Patrick van Aanholt is good enough to play for Arsenal before insisting that he expects the left-back to stay at Crystal Palace.

Van Aanholt has been linked with a late move as the deadline looms. The Daily Mirror reported at the weekend that Arsenal are keen on the 30-year-old.

It was suggested that Palace could let him leave on the cheap. His contract expires in the summer. And it appeared that the Eagles would rather sell him now than lose him at the end of the campaign.

However, Hodgson has ended any speculation about his future by suggesting that the left-back – who earns £55,000-a-week, according to Spotrac – will be staying. He did however, claim that he is good enough for Mikel Arteta’s side.

“Is Patrick Van Aanholt a good enough player to play for Arsenal? Yes he is but I think he is good enough to play for a lot of clubs, not least our own,” he said, as reported by the Daily Mail.

“This is where he is contracted and this is where I am expecting him to stay.”

TBR View: Arsenal may be tempted to have another look in the future

It is arguably not a huge blow for Arsenal to seemingly miss out. It remains to be seen if they can sign a backup option for Kieran Tierney.

But van Aanholt was a name who divided a number of Arsenal fans on social media. And in truth, if he is not available for a low price, it may not be worthwhile for the Gunners to make a move.

But should they not make a signing and van Aanholt’s future remain up in the air over the coming months, perhaps this window may not be the last time that Arsenal are linked with the Dutchman.