The potential trump card that could see Arsenal beat Tottenham to Ligue 1 star

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Arsenal are being linked with a move for Nice full-back Youcef Atal.

90min report the Gunners have joined bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the hunt for the Algeria international, who is one of the best full-backs in Ligue 1.

Versatile Atal is apparently being tracked by a host of clubs across Europe.

The 23-year-old has been with Nice since 2018, and is under contract until the summer of 2023.

It is understandable that Spurs should want a player of Atal’s quality and potential, given their struggles at right-back in 2019/20.

The club sold Kieran Trippier in the summer, but Serge Aurier has been unconvincing and Kyle Walker-Peters, unfancied.

Arsenal have Hector Bellerin back at full fitness now following a bad knee injury, but perhaps the Spaniard is in need of some competition.

Arsenal may fancy their chances of landing Atal ahead of Spurs for the simple fact that former captain Patrick Vieira is the current manager of Nice.

TBR’s view – Would Vieira sell to Spurs?

Most Arsenal fans would really like to think that their legendary former midfielder wouldn’t sell to Spurs over the Gunners.

He may not have an ultimate say in Nice’s transfer dealings, but perhaps even a small influence could see Atal head to the Emirates over the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Vieira knows all too well the rivalry between the two clubs and surely he wouldn’t want to see his bitter old foe get their hands on a top talent at the expense of his former employers.