Despite Arsenal’s strong start to the season, Mikel Arteta will no doubt be looking to bolster his squad ahead of the second half of the campaign.

A midfielder and winger are thought to be high on the list for the Spaniard and with the World Cup in full swing, there is one name that has stood out more than the rest, Cody Gakpo.

The Dutchman was linked with the Gunners during the summer, with a fee of £34m being touted, however, his exploits in Qatar may have given PSV Eindhoven plenty of reason to increase that figure in January.

Arteta’s own Robin van Persie

Gakpo has emerged as one of the continent's most in-demand youngsters due to his impressive run of form since the beginning of last season. He has scored 34 goals and registered 32 assists in that time period and it is perhaps no surprise he is shining on the biggest stage of them all at the World Cup.

The Netherlands have been solid rather than unspectacular, but it has been Gakpo who has breathed life into Louis Van Gaal’s side. the 23-year-old has scored three times in three group-stage matches to help steer the team into the last 16.

These performances, not just in Qatar, but for PSV also, have led to comparisons with Robin van Persie, with Gakpo saying:

“He’s a legendary player in the Netherlands and in the whole world. It’s an honour for me to be compared to him but at the end of the day, I’m my own player. I have to prove myself and do my best.”

Van Persie is now retired, however, he was once an icon for the Netherlands, scoring 50 goals for his country while representing them at three World Cup tournaments during his career and the former Arsenal forward even dubbed Gakpo as “dangerous”, high praise indeed from the Premier League legend.

Like Van Persie, Gakpo can either play out wide or in a more central role and this versatility would be an added bonus for Arteta.

The 39-year-old moved from the Eredivisie to England back in 2004 and although it took a few seasons to hit the ground running, he eventually finished his career with 144 Premier League goals in 280 matches, a fantastic return.

Having played alongside Van Persie for a season in 2011/12, the Spaniard will be keen on bringing a player who has a similar style to the club and this could be the catalyst that guides them to their first league title in 19 years.