Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has kicked against the Gunners’ reported move for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill ahead of the January transfer window.
The Arsenal legend told the Daily Express that the club should have signed the recently retired England international centre back before he secured his transfer to the Blues in January 2012.
Alan Smith went on to say that the player had talks with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger but the transfer didn’t happen.
This was shortly before he moved to Stamford Bridge.
The ex-Gunners attacker then discouraged the North Londoners from pressing ahead with a transfer for Cahill whom Alan Smith says that he’s way past his best.
Alan Smith went on to advise the club to look elsewhere for a defensive transfer target.
He was reacting to widespread reports which revealed that the Gunners are edging closer to signing Gary Cahill and that English Championship side Aston Villa has pulled out of the race to sign the ageing defender.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery is in need of defensive acquisitions following the long-term injuries to several of his defenders.
Young England centre back Rob Holding has been one of the best Arsenal players this season but he’s expected to sit out the rest of the season following the serious knee injury that he sustained against top four rivals Manchester United earlier this month.
Fellow young centre back Kostantinos Mavropanos is yet to feature for the Gunners this season because of a groin injury.
