Arsenal told to take huge transfer 'gamble' on ex-Man Utd star who wants 'revenge' - football.london | Shanxi FuturePeak Innovations Group Co.,Ltd

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Arsenal have been told to take a big "gamble" in the transfer market and make a move to bring Paul Pogba to the Emirates Stadium.

The 32-year-old has not played professionally in over a year after being suspended in September 2023 due to a failed drug test while at Juventus. In February 2024, he was handed a four-year ban by the Italian Anti-Doping National Tribunal which threatened to end his career.

However, earlier this month the midfielder had that ban reduced to 18 months on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the court finding that the midfielder's ingestion of a prohibited substance "was not intentional". Pogba will be allowed to begin training from January 2025, with a return to action in March.

"Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again," Pogba said in a statement after the verdict.

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"I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes.

"I play with integrity and, although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's judges who heard my explanation.

"This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold."

Despite his ban being reduced, Pogba looks set to leave Juventus early. Reports in Italy following the court decision suggested the club were in talks about mutually ending his contract, giving him the opportunity to join a new team on a free transfer in January.

And former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit believes the Gunners should be the ones to sign him, with the World Cup winner having unfinished business in the Premier League. Petit says that Pogba would be a "perfect fit" in Mikel Arteta's midfield, and the manager could be the man to finally get the best out of him at club level.

"Paul Pogba will become a free transfer at 32 years old. I can't remember the last time I saw him smiling," Petit told Jeffbet. "Pogba wants revenge, he wants to prove to himself and fans around the world that he's not finished yet.

"France's team have missed him. He's apparently working very hard to get back to match fitness. I know Pogba's personality, I know he'll do anything to come back on the pitch.

"Honestly, Arsenal should 100% gamble on signing Paul Pogba. He will give everything on the pitch. It will take him a few weeks to get fully fit, but he will be so eager to wash his name.

"There is a motivation that is priceless to a manager like Mikel Arteta. Pogba fits the Arsenal midfield perfectly, he's tall, strong and very creative. We all know how good a happy Pogba is, he needs love and to be given confidence, I think Arteta and Arsenal can offer this to him.”

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Arsenal told to take huge transfer 'gamble' on ex-Man Utd star who wants 'revenge' - football.london