Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has claimed that Wilfried Zaha needs an Arsenal transfer to go ahead, following a summer of speculation.
Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has claimed that Wilfried Zaha needs an Arsenal transfer to go ahead, following a summer of speculation.
Arsenal saw a number of bids for the Ivory Coast international rejected by the Eagles and ultimately turned their attention towards Nicolas Pepe, who arrived as a club-record signing from Lille.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 2")
Zaha, also courted by Everton, remained in South London and made his first start of the season in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United, which leaves Roy Hodgson’s side still waiting for their first win of the campaign.
While speculation surrounding the former Manchester United man has been placed on the backburner for now, it is likely to be reignited in January and Martyn believes Palace should now stand in his way.
“If a player wants to go enough and is desperate enough to leave then it’s possibly not in your best interests to try and keep him because you then have a player who doesn’t want to be there,” he told 888Sport.
“Not that Wilf wants to let the club down in any way. He loves Crystal Palace. He just wants a chance to further his career and go to potentially a bigger club like Arsenal. That’s the type of club he needs to move to. He needs a club that is challenging for the Champions League because that’s the standard that he’s at.
“I don’t see him lying down and not trying though. He doesn’t strike me as that type of person. He cares enough about his own club and will give his all until he moves on.
“Premier League club’s finances are getting stronger and stronger and all that’s going to do is push prices up but there must be a price eventually that a selling club will take.
“Wilf is such an important part of Crystal Palace and played a big role in them maintaining their Premier League status these past couple of years so it’s difficult to let someone like that go. On the flip-side you don’t want him there if he’s going to struggle reaching the same level.”
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