'What is Edu cooking?' - Arsenal fans excited by Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk's appearance at Emirates Stadium for showdown with Shakhtar Donetsk

Before the match kicked off, TV cameras honed in on Mudryk, a familiar face but one that Arsenal fans were not expecting to see at their home stadium. His presence was a nod to his ties with Shakhtar - the side who he came through the youth ranks of.

Throughout the January 2023 transfer window, Arsenal and Chelsea battled for the winger’s signature, but it was the Blues that eventually secured his services with an £89 million deal. For Arsenal fans, Mudryk's presence in N5 reignited thoughts of what could have been, with many pondering whether a potential future move to the Gunners might still be on the cards.

Immediately after spotting Mudryk, fans jokingly speculated if Arsenal's sporting director, Edu Gaspar, was potentially working behind the scenes to engineer a fresh move for the player.

An Arsenal fan, @dunc_AFC, wrote: "Mudryk at the Emirates tonight…what is Edu cooking?"

Whereas, @GodwillaNB, took a dig at Chelsea's European woes and wrote: "I'm glad Mudryk is at the Emirates. It's the only CL football he'll experience this year."

While, @RachelW86529886, wrote: "I see Mudryk is watching tonight, glad to see he’s supporting the club he loves, the arsenal. ✌️✌️✌️."

@J_stew_94 mocked: "Mudryk at the carpet to apparently watch shaktar but really he's still mad arsenal never completed the deal and now he's stuck at pure gym."

Speaking as a Chelsea fan, @ZuuwuuC was a little miffed and wrote: "No way mudryk is actually at the Arsenal Stadium watching their championship league!!!!? Naa ship him asap!!"

Mudryk is currently a fringe player under new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and has been limited to just four league appearances this campaign. He was left out of the squad during Sunday's defeat to Liverpool.

Mudryk's appearance at the Emirates was likely nothing more than a casual visit to watch Shakhtar and he will be focused on impressing for Chelsea in their upcoming Conference League match against Panathinaikos on Thursday.