€60m Arsenal target blasted by his manager: 'The sooner he understands...'

23 Oct 2026 17:01 BST
3 min read

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Eintracht Frankfurt forward Can Uzun has emerged on Arsenal’s radar, but the wonderkid has been warned that he still has a long way to go before he can reach the level of the Gunners.

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For the second year running, the Turkey international has enjoyed a solid start to the season. Uzun, who arrived at Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024 after bagging 16 goals in the 2. Bundesliga as a teenager, scored in five consecutive Bundesliga games to start 2025/26.

This term, the youngster is on four goals and three assists after six matches. However, his statistics are skewed. He has actually only notched goal contributions in two matches: he was involved in five goals in an 11-0 beatdown of lower-league St. Tonis in the DFB-Pokal and scored a brace against Mainz.

And just like last year, things seem to be quickly turning sour for the 20-year-old. Uzun’s form dropped off in 2025/26, and after a coaching change at Frankfurt, he found himself on the outside looking in and received public criticism from new boss Albert Riera.

Famously, the Spaniard’s stint didn’t last long. He was sacked again after a couple of months and replaced by Adi Hutter in the summer. Now, history seems to be repeating itself for Uzun.

Uzun’s glaring weakness

After starting every single game under the Austrian, Uzun was benched against Koln last Friday – and he stayed there. The attacker was an unused substitute in a much-needed 1-0 win.

When quizzed about Uzun at today’s press conference, Hutter raised eyebrows with his blunt response. “The sooner Can understands that football is also a team sport where he can contribute his skills, the greater the career he will have,” the manager said.

“If he doesn’t realise this, he might end up being his own worst enemy.” Hutter added: “I also expect consistency, and that he shows the abilities he has during the week [in training] and in the games.”

This is eerily similar to the criticism levelled at him by the aforementioned Riera in the spring. “He knows what to do with and without the ball. If he brings that to the team, then he’ll play. That applies to all the players,” the divisive Spaniard explained in April.

“The reason some don’t play is that you can be great with the ball, but not good without it. With Albert, you won’t play if you’re not good enough. I’m very clear about that. I want complete players. They have to fulfil both roles.”

Clearly, Uzun’s defensive contribution – or lack thereof – is a problem. That’s in part due to his role in the team. Uzun isn’t a No.9, at least not a traditional one. He doesn’t get the luxury of primarily operating up the pitch.

Uzun works best as a withdrawn forward when he has someone to play off of or as a No.10. This season, he has actually been used as more of a left-winger by Hutter, which is perhaps also why he has yet to consistently put up attacking numbers – he is too far away from the goal.

In the modern game, you have to put the hard yards in, even if you’re a winger or a No.10. It is a lesson that, for example, Rayan Cherki has had to learn at Man City and in the France squad, and Uzun, who is a similarly supremely talented attacker, will have to realise this, too.

Uzun linked with Arsenal

Earlier this week, the Turkish sensation was linked with Arsenal. It was claimed that the Gunners had made contact with Uzun’s agency, which also represents Club Brugge forward Nicolo Tresoldi, a confirmed target for the Premier League champions.

In the summer, Frankfurt were clear that Uzun would only be allowed to leave the club for €60 million. Galatasaray desperately wanted him but couldn’t justify spending that much on a 20-year-old.

That price tag remains, although there have been some major changes at Frankfurt in recent days. The tough negotiator Markus Krosche left his position as director of football, which could quite dramatically alter the Bundesliga side’s recruitment going forward.

Uzun and Frankfurt appear to be quickly becoming an unhappy marriage, so a transfer in 2027 can’t be ruled out. If Hutter’s snub last week becomes more than just a one-off disciplinary measure, Frankfurt won’t be able to keep demanding €60m, especially without the expertise of Krosche.

That means that, going forward, Uzun’s situation will be one to watch. If he wishes to move to Arsenal, he will need to work on his defensive game. Mikel Arteta would not tolerate a forward who doesn’t pull his weight defensively, unless we’re talking about Vinicius Jr – and Uzun is no Vini Jr, at least not yet.