Arsenal have been handed a fresh Manu Kone transfer endorsement after Andy Brassell described the Roma midfielder as an ideal Premier League fit for Mikel Arteta.
talkSPORT reports that Brassell believes the France international would be “completely perfect” for Arsenal as the Gunners assess midfield reinforcements around Declan Rice.
Kone has sharpened his profile at the World Cup, starting France’s 3-0 win over Iraq before playing 90 minutes in the 4-1 victory over Norway.
FotMob data underlines the appeal. Across his first 180 tournament minutes, Kone completed 92.9% of his passes, made five tackles and produced 11 recoveries.
Those numbers point to a midfielder comfortable protecting space, sustaining pressure and giving Arteta another physical control option.
Manu Kone Gives Arsenal Clear Rice Support Route
Roma’s position makes the story more intriguing.
Transfermarkt lists Kone’s contract until 2029 and gives him a market value of €50million, while talkSPORT reports Roma’s financial picture could make a high-value sale attractive after his move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Arsenal have already been linked with several midfield options, including Bruno Guimaraes, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Alex Scott.
Yet Kone offers a different blend: ball security, recovery power and the capacity to play as either a No.6 or No.8.
For Arteta, that matters.
Arsenal’s title defence cannot run through Rice every three days, especially after his heavy 2025/26 workload and England fitness concerns.
Kone looks less like a speculative name and more like a practical squad-building answer.
He would not remove the need for creativity elsewhere, but he would give Arsenal another midfielder built for pressure, duels and control.
That is why Brassell’s endorsement carries weight.
Kone fits a Premier League problem Arsenal already know they must solve.
