Nigel Winterburn claims Arsenal target Tammy Abraham ‘would fit the bill’

Nigel Winterburn has backed Tammy Abraham to thrive at Arsenal should the Chelsea striker move across London this summer, claiming that the Englishman ‘fits the bill’. 

Abraham’s Chelsea future remains uncertain with the 23-year-old falling down the pecking order under new boss Thomas Tuchel, leading to speculation surrounding his future this summer.

Aston Villa and West Ham have been linked with swoops for Chelsea’s academy product, although the Premier League sides have balked at the Blues’ £40million valuation of the Englishman.

The 23-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge

Arsenal have also been rumoured to hold an interest in Abraham, with the Gunners eyeing up a loan move for the striker. Club legend Winterburn believes that Abraham ‘fits the bill’ for boss Mikel Arteta.

‘Arsenal have been linked with Tammy Abraham from Chelsea. He certainly would fit the bill of recent Arsenal signings, young with a point to prove,’ Winterburn told Goal. 

‘People will question his consistency but what you want is for these young players to get a run in the team.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been linked with a loan swoop for Chelsea’s outcast star this summer

And Arsenal legend Winterburn says that Abraham ‘has a point to prove’ as a striker

‘Is he going to get a run in a team if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is playing well? Probably not unless Aubameyang can be switched to the left-hand side – although you then need to leave out either Nicolas Pepe or Bukayo Saka.

‘With Abraham, there’s potential there and development for a young, young player. So, I think it’s an option that Arsenal, although with Alexandre Lacazette being linked with a move away, it could be just a name that has been thrown into a hat.’ 

Lacazette has been linked with a Gunners exit this summer, with the Frenchman entering the final year of his contract. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have been linked with a move for the 30-year-old.

Winterburn added Arsenal should not sell Alexandre Lacazette until they have an upgrade

Winterburn believes that Arsenal should not allow Lacazette – who has scored 65 goals for the club – to leave unless the Gunners have an upgrade lined up.

‘Arsenal shouldn’t sell Lacazette unless they’ve got an upgrade in place. I wouldn’t let him go until we have secured another striker. I’ve said that all along.

‘Lacazette is a different striker to anything Arsenal have at the club. When he’s in top form, he holds the ball up well, his link-up play is good.

‘I wouldn’t let him go and then we haven’t got anybody else to bring in. For me, that’s just way too risky.’