Jack Whitehall jokes he spent entire time at Wimbledon trying to convince England star to join Arsenal

Move over Andrea Berta, Jack Whitehall is ready to fill in as Arsenal’s new sporting director.

The Gunners now know they have somebody to cover for the Italian whenever he is on his holidays.

The comedian and boyhood Arsenal fan took the most opportunistic moment to help boss Mikel Arteta bolster his attacking options ahead of the new season.

And what better place to do a bit of transfer business than at Centre Court at Wimbledon.

The destination is usually awash with celebrities and sports stars at this time of year and, luckily for Whitehall, he found himself sat next to Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for the winger in recent weeks and, as luck would have it, Whitehall was presented with the perfect chance to tempt the star into a move to north London, or so he says.

Whitehall and Gordon watched on as Novak Djokovic eased past Britain’s Dan Evans in straight sets on Thursday and the comedian shared his meeting with fans on Instagram.

He posted a picture of himself alongside the England international with the caption: “Spent most of the Djokovic match telling this guy how good he’d look in red.”

Gordon’s future has been far from secure despite posting another stellar season on Tyneside.

Despite missing the final, Gordon helped the Magpies end their 70-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Carabao Cup in March.

But it was on that run to the final that Gordon became embroiled in a cheeky exchange aimed at the Gunners after knocking Arteta’s side out at the semi-final stage to book their place at Wembley.

During a post-match interview Gordon was asked whether he felt Newcastle were mature enough and ready to win a trophy, to which he replied: “I think it’s important for us to stay humble now.”

The phrase ‘stay humble’ derived from the conflict between Arsenal and Manchester City.

City striker Haaland directed the phrase at Arteta following the side’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium last September.

Gordon opted to enter the chat with a cheeky moment of his own, although all will be forgotten should the star land at the north London club this summer.

Links with a move to the Emirates Stadium could further intensify should Al Nassr step up their move for Arsenal Gabriel Martinelli.

The Saudi Pro League club have turned their attention to the Brazilian and are understood to be plotting a £73million move for the 24-year-old which could open the door for Gordon to succeed him.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the former Everton academy graduate.

The Reds held talks with Gordon – a boyhood Reds fan – prior to the 2024/25 campaign, before Gordon went on to sign a new deal with the Magpies last October.

With the future of Luis Diaz unclear amid interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Al Nassr, the Premier League champions could return for the winger in a deal worth up to £100million.

“The Gordon one is interesting. It’s one I’ve always kept in my back pocket, as one that could be revisited, because he was very close to joining Liverpool this time last year, really close,” said talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook last month.

“To the extent where the deal was down to the final stages, and I think Newcastle just decided, we actually can’t part company with this guy.

“So it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s still an itch there on Liverpool’s part that needs to be scratched.

“But I think it would take a big offer, and maybe they’re going to have to get players off the payroll before they would look at that.”