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Theo Walcott and Ian Wright have admitted Arsenal made a major error in failing to sign Chelsea's new star Morgan Rogers.

Former Arsenal forwards Theo Walcott and Ian Wright have spoken candidly about their frustration at the club not managing to land Morgan Rogers in the recent summer transfer window. The highly rated midfielder eventually completed a big-money move to London rivals Chelsea instead, leaving both Gunners icons feeling their former club should have moved more quickly.

Walcott opens up on transfer frustration

As reported by Metro, Walcott said he wishes Arsenal had brought Rogers in before Chelsea did. The Gunners strengthened their squad with Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis, but they failed to get several high-profile attacking targets over the line. Xabi Alonso's Chelsea then moved decisively to sign Rogers in a huge £117 million deal shortly after the World Cup.

While selecting between Tzolis and Rogers for a combined XI, Walcott made no attempt to hide his disappointment over the missed chance. "Tzolis, I like him, but it’s Rogers," Walcott said. "We should have got him, oh well."

Wright gutted by Chelsea switch

Wright was just as disappointed that Arsenal did not bring the midfielder to the Emirates Stadium. Speaking to Stick to Football, Wright said Mikel Arteta had specifically wanted a player capable of making the difference alongside Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. "I think we did need Rogers," Wright stated. "You say we have got those types of players but that is what Mikel wanted. It is a position where we need that player. Of course Saka is back, Odegaard is back, Havertz is back and playing together, but he wanted that difference-maker. He is the one we were linked with ages ago and he would have loved to have come, I can feel it."

Arteta defends Arsenal's transfer approach

Arsenal also looked at moves for Vinicius Junior and Julian Alvarez, but both players turned down the opportunity to join. Wright suggested that chase ended up hurting Arsenal in the market. "There’s something that’s happened with Arsenal with the way they were going for Vini," Wright added. "If you’re a player and you see a team going for him, you think, 'I thought they were interested in me?'. It is the player the manager wanted. Chelsea thought, well if you’re not going to pay it, we’ll pay it. I’m gutted, I would have loved him to come."

At the same time, Arteta said Arsenal have no regrets over their business. "The selling of players can come from different aspects as well. It’s not always the same one. That’s part of the responsibility we have at the football club," Arteta explained.

What happens next?

Rogers has already made an encouraging start at Stamford Bridge, recording one goal and one assist in his opening two matches. The midfielder will now get an ideal chance to show Arsenal what they missed when Chelsea travel to face Arteta's team at the Emirates on Sunday.