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Arsenal could bolster their defensive ranks in January as they reportedly hold an interest in Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, whose contract expires this summer
Arsenal are reportedly one of many teams competing for Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi's signature. And Mikel Arteta has already been told by Declan Rice one reason why he'd suit the Gunners.
England defender Guehi was on the cusp of joining Liverpool this summer before their deal collapsed but his future remains a topic of speculation. The 25-year-old's contract expires this summer and Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted that he could leave Selhurst Park this month should they receive an acceptable fee.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all supposedly keeping tabs on Guehi. But current league leaders Arsenal, who extended their lead at the top of the table on Thursday when they held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw, have also reportedly entered the race. And superstar Rice has already let slip a trait of Guehi's that would send boss Arteta's tongue wagging.
Back in 2023, Rice was asked to describe each of his England team-mates with one word for their social media channels and when Guehi popped up his answer was a telling one.
The player put to Rice before Guehi was Brighton's Lewis Dunk, whom the midfielder described as "intelligent." But when Guehi's name cropped up, Rice said: "To be fair, I didn't know he was coming. Intelligent."
Rice's praise suggests that not only is Guehi a smart player but he would have ordinarily dubbed him the most intelligent star in the squad over Dunk. This trait is one Arteta holds to the highest regard.
Speaking about former midfielder Jorginho in 2023, Arteta was very quick to laud the Italian for his on-pitch smarts. The Spaniard said: "The detail he can go into, to understand what is happening, not individually, but what's actually happening in life, in the game, is really impressive.
"You use him because he is always there, when he's on the bench, like another coach. Every time I look behind, he's there - it's great that he is living the game."
Furthermore, in 2024 when Arteta was asked about Rice, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino gelling together in midfield, it was intelligence that he chose to single out as a preferable attribute.
He said: "There've been a lot of new units recently... and I think they can play well together. Three very intelligent football brains. They like to play for others. You have players who can hold the ball in tight spaces and can play for others. Martin is exceptional in his timing and high press."
Arteta clearly values an intelligent footballer and according to one of his star players, Guehi is as clever as they come. It has been reported that a fee of £40million could prise him away from Palace in January.
The Gunners may have to compete with title rivals City if they are to snap him up though, as Palace manager Glasner made it very clear that if they come in with a sizeable bid, then Guehi will wave goodbye should he wish.
"I'm not naive," said Glasner. "If a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen. There will be a threshold where the club has to say it will happen - as long as Marc says 'I want to leave', because the final decision is always with the player."
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