Wilshere makes his feelings crystal clear on Arsenal's £40million transfer plan

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has named Netherlands international Cody Gakpo in his World Cup dream team, amid reports the Gunners still want to sign the £40-million rated forward.

Gakpo has picked up this season where he left off last term and is in remarkable form, with the 23-year-old registering an astonishing 21 goal contributions in 14 PSV Eindhoven outings. Factoring in his contribution in other competitions and Gakpo actually boasts more goal involvements than Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland.

Arsenal reportedly recently sent scouts to keep a close eye on the forward and are impressed with what they saw. They aren't alone in that stance, with a number of European clubs thought to be keeping tabs on Gakpo's situation at PSV.

Wilshere is also obviously a huge admirer, given he selected Gakpo in his World Cup dream team, via The Sun. He did a good job of showing his Arsenal ties, by also naming three Gunners players in his ideal starting eleven.

The ex-England international opted for Three Lions talent Bukayo Saka, Switzerland stalwart Granit Xhaka and Brazil's Gabriel Jesus to make up the Arsenal trio. If Gakpo were to play alongside that aforementioned trio in real life, the Gunners could pose even more of a threat in the race for the title.

Mikel Arteta's men currently sit five points clear at the top of the table and will lead the pack on Christmas Day for the first time since the 2007/08 season.

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It has been the kind of form that few could have expected from Arsenal and while many have been left impressed, there are still mounting fears over their strength in depth.

Arteta made little secret of his desire to add another wide-attacking player into his ranks last summer, with deals for Raphinha and Pedro Neto both failing to amount to anything.

Gakpo was also a name regularly linked with a move to the Emirates, but he ended up staying put in Eindhoven.

Gakpo now has the chance to truly announce himself on the world stage in Qatar while representing Oranje, but that could spell bad news for Arsenal if the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City start sniffing around him.

Perhaps more worrying for the Gunners is that local rivals Tottenham have also reportedly entered the race for Gakpo and are willing to spend big on the Dutchman to avoid a crisis if one of Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski or Heung-Min Son gets injured again this term.

Arteta may have to enter a bidding war with his neighbours, but if the Spaniard feels Gakpo is the player that can get Arsenal over the line and end their 18-year wait for a title it is likely he'll stop at nothing until he gets his man, much to Wilshere's delight.

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