Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been linked with Ilkay Gundogan, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s previous comments on the Manchester City midfielder will encourage the Emirates Stadium faithful.

According to Spanish publication SPORT, Arsenal want to sign Gundogan on a free transfer in the summer transfer window.

The Germany international midfielder is out of contract at defending Premier League champions Manchester City at the end of the season.

And Arsenal, who are at the top of the Premier League table at the moment, want to snap up the 32-year-old, according to the report.

Now, Gundogan is 32 now, so some Arsenal fans may have some reservations over signing him in the summer transfer window, even on a free.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund star is still at the top of his game.

Given his extensive Premier League experience and winning mentality, we believe that Gundogan would fit in well at Arsenal under manager Mikel Arteta and would make the Gunners better.

Liverpool manager Klopp worked with Gundogan at German club Borussia Dortmund, and what he has previously said about him shows how much he rates the £165,000-a-week (SalarySport) star.

Klopp said about Ilkay Gundogan in The Mirror in February 2021: “Ilkay was one of the best players I ever coached.

“He was a very young player when he came to us from Nurnberg to Dortmund. Especially in the 2012 season, he was unbelievable and played pretty much like he is playing now.

“Then he had, unfortunately, some injuries, really tough injuries, but that’s now all sorted.

“It’s the longest period he can play football without getting interrupted and I wish him really well that he can continue like this.

“That’s the only reason. He was always that player. When you are smart and experience comes into play as well, then it’s another jump in your performance level, and I’m not surprised at all.”

Impressive career

Gundogan has scored 39 goals and created 26 big chances in 181 appearances in the Premier League so far for Manchester City.

The 32-year-old midfielder has won the Premier League title four times, the FA Cup once, and the EFL Cup on four occasions with City so far in his career.

The German won the Bundesliga title once with Dortmund.