Wilfried Zaha risks ‘becoming a bit-part player’ if he joins Arsenal, claims Paul Merson

Arsenal icon Paul Merson has warned Wilfried Zaha to join the Gunners next summer after telling the Crystal Palace star he risks becoming a ‘private player’ if he comes to the Emirates.

Zaha’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning he can go on a free transfer to a top club, and there should be a lot of interest in his signature as he continues to impress for the Eagles’ goal.

The attacker has five goals and one assist in the Premier League so far this season, and last time scored the winning goal against Wolves – showing how crucial he is for Patrick Vieira at Selhurst Park.

Wilfried Zaha should reconsider moving to Arsenal next season, says Paul Merson (R)

Zaha will be out of contract next summer, but Merson feels he will be a ‘part player’ at Arsenal

If Zaha becomes a free agent next summer there could be a scrap between some of the top clubs to get his hands on him, but Merson – who played 327 times for his beloved Gunners – thinks the Ivory Coast star should ‘consider his options’ ‘ before he chooses Arsenal as his next club.

“Wilfried Zaha plays at Crystal Palace every week,” he told the Daily Star.

“He can play a bad game and still start the next game and that might not happen at a Big Six club.

“I think he should seriously consider his options before his contract expires. He’s a legend at Palace and the manager loves him.’

The attacker is strongly linked with a move to Mikel Arteta’s side next summer

Merson thinks there would be a lot less pressure if Zaha came in on a free transfer, but that would also mean Mikel Arteta would exert less pressure to play against him every week. minutes at Anfield.

He fears Zaha’s minutes will dwindle an Arsenal and urged him that ‘maybe the grass isn’t greener’.

“I see someone like Arsenal come for him when they get to the Champions League, but do you go there and risk becoming a side player?

‘You go for free then. It’s not like you’re Darwin Nunez, who cost £85 million and has to play for that. Does he want to play for a week and then fall on the couch? I’m just not sure if the grass will be greener for Zaha.

Zaha considers his options as he enjoys one of the best seasons of his career

“He’s playing the best football of his career and there’s a reason for that. He needs to sit down and think carefully about his future.’

Zaha started his career at Palace at the age of 12 and emerged as one of the club’s greatest talents before moving to Manchester United in 2013.

He spent two years at Old Trafford but was immediately loaned to Cardiff and later returned to Palace in 2015 – where he has remained ever since. He played 296 times in his second period and scored 70 times.

Last season was Zaha’s best goalscoring season ever – with 15 goals.