Arsenal target Zaha shows why Gunners need to up £40m transfer bid after scoring for Ivory Coast as they beat Namibia 4-1 to reach Africa Cup of Nations last 16
WILFRIED ZAHA provided a glimpse to Arsenal fans of what they can expect with a trademark strike at the African Cup of Nations.
The Crystal Palace winger is Gunners boss Unai Emery’s No1 summer transfer target.
And he showed exactly why the Spaniard is desperate to bring him to the Emirates as he starred for Ivory Coast against Namibia on Monday.
The £80m-rated star grabbed the third in his country’s 4-1 win after cutting in from the left to lash home right-footed.
Former Bournemouth and Leeds forward and an own goal from Ryan Nyambe's gave the Elephants a 2-0 lead before Joslin Kamatuka pulled one back for Namibia.
Zaha’s big moment arrived in Cairo with just six minutes left after two earlier failed penalty appeals on his first start of the tournament.
Maxwel Cornet added the fourth moments later to move Ivory Coast into the last-16 as they finished runners-up to Morocco in Group D.
The 26-year-old Zaha’s strike came just hours after Arsenal tabled an opening offer of £40m to Palace for him.
But the Eagles are demanding at least double that for their talisman.
However, the attacker is desperately hoping Selhurst Park chiefs will relent in order to let him make his “dream” move.
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Zaha's brother Judicael said: “Wilfried will always hold Crystal Palace and their fans in the highest regard and all the support they've given means the world to him.
“It's my brother's dream though to play for Arsenal.
“Given all Wilfried has given to Palace to help them remain a Premier League club, I hope Palace will be able to see their way to agreeing a deal with Arsenal that allows Wilfried to realise his dream of playing European football for the club he's supported since childhood.”
