Stan Kroenke was willing to match Chelsea offer for Mykhailo Mudryk but Mikel Arteta and Edu refused

Stan Kroenke was willing to match Chelsea’s offer for Mykhailo Mudryk, but Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar decided not to pursue the transfer, it has been claimed.

For months Arsenal were in pursuit of Ukrainian winger Mudryk.

The then-Shakhtar Donetsk star hinted on several occasions he was keen on a move to the north Londoners, openly praising the club and its manager, Arteta, on his social media.

However, the Gunners’ move for Mudryk was hijacked at the last, after Todd Boehly’s Chelsea bid some £89million for the player in January.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge, Mudryk is yet to score however, while he has claimed just two assists in his 12 Blues appearances.

Meanwhile, Arsenal opted to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton instead. Though it was a less popular move among fans at the time, the Belgian international has since registered eight assists and a goal for the Gunners and has been central to the club’s attempt to claim a first Premier League title in 19 years.

Arteta and Edu chose not to pursue Mudryk

According to French football journalist Julien Lauren, Arsenal owner Kroenke was open to matching Chelsea’s offer for Mudryk.

However, Arteta and sporting director Edu chose not to pay bid the same amount as Chelsea.

Speaking on the Premier League’s Kelly and Wrighty Show, Lauren said: “Kroenke would have paid but Edu and Mikel said - 'We can’t. We have to be disciplined here, we have to have a structure'.

“And I think they deserve respect for that.”

Mudryk endured a difficult first outing at the Emirates Stadium earlier this week, as Arsenal eased to a 3-1 victory.

The 22-year-old came on as a 71st-minute substitute but subsequently had a green laser shined on his face by a fan for the rest of the encounter.

Arsenal have condemned the "dangerous and totally unacceptable behaviour" of a 21-year-old man accused of shining the laser who was arrested during the game.

Arsenal said: "This behaviour is dangerous and totally unacceptable, and we will fully support the police with their enquiries.

"We will obviously take the strongest possible action."

Topics: Football, Mykhailo Mudryk, Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers, Mikel Arteta

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.