Arsenal Targets Bradley Barcola as Cole Advocates for Left-Side Reinforcements
Arsenal have joined the chase for Paris Saint‑Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with former striker Carlton Cole adamant the Frenchman is exactly the profile Mikel Arteta should be targeting before the window shuts.
PSG are ready to cash in if the fee lands in the right zone and Barcola, keen to move on, has drawn interest from several major clubs. Right now Liverpool are pushing hardest, but they have yet to close a deal – and that delay has left a gap Arsenal are watching closely.
Liverpool lead, but Arsenal lurk
Liverpool’s interest has been the most concrete in recent weeks. They have moved early, spoken often and positioned themselves as front-runners for Barcola’s signature. Yet nothing is signed, nothing is sealed.
That matters. With the clock ticking on the window, Arsenal know one decisive move could flip the narrative. If the Gunners can clear space in their squad and balance the numbers, they are ready to step in.
A key part of that equation is Gabriel Martinelli. Should Arsenal manage to offload the Brazilian, the club are expected to ramp up their pursuit of Barcola. The 21‑year‑old would slot naturally into the left side of Arteta’s attack, offering a different flavour in the final third and extra depth in a position Arsenal have been keen to bolster.
A Champions League pedigree on offer
Barcola’s appeal is obvious. He arrives from a PSG side that has just claimed back‑to‑back Champions League titles, carrying the experience and mentality of a dressing room that knows how to navigate the biggest nights.
Drop that into the Emirates, and Arsenal gain not just another winger, but a player who has lived through the pressure and expectation of a club built to win in Europe.
Cole, speaking via the Metro, made it clear he believes Arsenal still have a key piece missing.
“Bruno Guimaraes has come in, he's a brilliant player, and I still think they probably want one more signing before the window shuts. I know they're still trying to do a little bit of business. I think they need another left-sided forward, they're obvious in the running to sign Barcola; they need someone like that.”
For Cole, “someone like that” is not a luxury. It is a requirement.
Cole’s call for one more weapon
Cole’s assessment cuts to the heart of Arsenal’s planning. Arteta has already seen several additions walk through the door this summer, but the former England striker believes the squad still lacks one more high‑level option on the left.
Barcola would give Arsenal a fresh dynamic in wide areas: pace to stretch defences, one‑v‑one ability, and the confidence that comes from winning major honours with PSG. For a team trying to turn domestic promise into trophies, those traits carry weight.
Liverpool remain a serious obstacle. Their long‑standing interest and need to refresh their own forward line means they are unlikely to walk away easily. Yet their hesitation to finalise terms has created a small window of opportunity.
If Arsenal can move Martinelli on, free up a slot and table a convincing offer, the race changes shape.
Should Barcola leave Paris in this window, the question is simple: will he be adding his Champions League pedigree to Liverpool’s rebuild, or sharpening Arsenal’s push for the title at the Emirates?
