Ornstein drops Arsenal BOMB: England star is surprise Williams Plan B

Tom Weber

Updated: 12 Apr 2025 18:05 BST
4 min read

Arsenal are among the admirers of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, according to David Ornstein.

Article continues under the video

The Gunners are in the market for wide reinforcements this summer. Athletic Club star Nico Williams is Mikel Arteta's top target for the left wing after Arsenal opted against making a concrete move for him last summer.

Compared

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

VS

Anthony Gordon

F (L)

Newcastle Utd.

Anthony Gordon

F (L)

Newcastle Utd.

2024/2025

Season Statistics

2024/2025

40	Appearances	34
7	Assists	7
9	Goals	9

Arteta has instructed new sporting director Andrea Berta to focus on securing buy-in from the 22-year-old, but so far, Williams has not made a decision on his future.

With his boyhood club still competing in multiple competitions, Williams remains fully focused on the current season. The tricky winger wants to help Athletic reach the Europa League final, which will be played at their San Mames home ground.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano does not expect a quick decision from the Spain international, and this could be problematic for Arsenal. Although the Gunners are the favourites to sign him, they are looking to get their business done early this summer.

Arsenal's Plan B?

With the future of Williams still up in the air, Arsenal are scouring the market for potential alternatives. Reports in Germany have suggested that they hold an interest in Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman, but a move for either appears unlikely.

Now, David Ornstein of The Athletic has provided an interesting update on the situation. Quizzed about Arsenal's pursuit of a left-winger in a Q&A session, the journalist revealed that the Gunners are among the clubs who admire Newcastle star Anthony Gordon.

"A wide attacker has been on the agenda for some time, and I do hear left-winger is a position they are considering this summer," Ornstein began. "We all know Nico Williams is a player Mikel Arteta admires, but that doesn’t mean it will happen.

"There will be many names in the frame; for example, Arsenal are one of multiple top clubs who like Anthony Gordon. But, again, it doesn’t mean much unless something develops, and we have no indications of that yet."

Gordon was a candidate to leave the Magpies last year before signing a new contract in October. However, FootballTransfers understands that his fresh terms could mean very little come the summer.

While Eddie Howe remains a big fan of the England international, there are murmurs that others within the club are less convinced by Gordon, with a perceived 'attitude problem' supposedly to blame for this.

This shouldn't be blown out of proportion, but it does mean that Gordon could be one to watch this summer as several top clubs, not just Arsenal, are looking for a high-profile, reliable winger.