Virgil van Dijk says reported Arsenal target is one of the toughest opponents he's ever faced

By Giuseppe Labellarte

With the Premier League season now over, Arsenal can fully focus on bolstering their ranks.

The Gunners enjoyed a decent 2021-22 campaign, though they only just failed to land a top-four place.

Arsenal will now hope to kick on in the league next season and seal a Champions League spot for 2023-24.

At the same time, they must manage the added workload of the Europa League.

One area the Gunners need to strengthen is up front. Mikel Arteta currently has just two senior strikers in his ranks.

Arsenal offloaded Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and failed to land a replacement.

Admittedly, Arteta may not end up without a single striker. Eddie Nketiah is reportedly going to sign a new contract.

Nonetheless, with Alexandre Lacazette looking set to leave the Emirates, Arsenal will need one, if not two, new strikers.

Plenty of centre-forwards have been linked with Arsenal in recent months.

And one of the best ones out there is Darwin Nunez, who made a real name for himself this season.

“Direct, quick, tall, strong”

The Benfica ace registered a staggering 34 goals and four assists from just 41 senior appearances for his club.

Nunez also got six goals in 10 Champions League outings, testament to his quality and suitability for the highest level.

He was a major thorn in Liverpool’s side, scoring twice against Jurgen Klopp’s outfit in the quarter-finals.

Now, Anfield star Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Nunez is one of the toughest opponents he’s ever faced.

Rio Ferdinand asked him on FIVE to name the toughest player he’s been up against.

Van Dijk named several players, including Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi, before commenting on Nunez.

“Darwin… very direct, quick, tall, strong, it’s quite difficult to play against those guys.”

“He is going to leave”

Nunez will “100 percent” leave Benfica this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Romano told his Here We Go podcast that the 22-year-old has made his mind up to leave the Portuguese club.

Romano explained: “He had an incredible season. He made a decision. He is going to leave Benfica this summer, 100 percent.

“I see many rumours about him but I am told he is really tempted by the Premier League, he would love a Premier League move.

“This summer, let’s see what happens, many clubs interested.”