[ad_1]
Houssem Aouar is the main target of Arsenal’s offensive midfield.
It’s just under a month until the summer 2020 transfer window closes and Arsenal’s recruiting team still has a lot of work to do in the market if we are to finish in the top four next season. The lack of quality and depth in the center of the park, along with possible exits, means that we must be looking to bring reinforcements in the engine room.
Two key midfielders have consistently been linked to moves towards Arsenal this summer. First of all, Thomas Partey of Atlético de Madrid, who would probably be hired to play a role at the base of our midfield. In addition to Partey, Arsenal are interested in recruiting Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, one of Europe’s brightest offensive-oriented midfielder prospects.
The problem with targeting such high caliber players is that there will always be stiff competition for their signatures. Regarding Partey, it seems that we are in a one-horse race to acquire him, but Atlético are convinced that they will not let go of their number five unless their buyout clause of 50 million euros (45 million pounds) is activated. ). However, regarding Aouar’s situation, it is said that many other clubs are interested in enlisting the services of the talented 22-year-old.
So if I were to make a bet myself, I’d say that of the two players, Arsenal are more likely to sign Partey. Once its release clause is activated, Atlético is left without teeth. They just have to let go of the towering midfielder. With Aouar, things are a bit more complicated. Lengthy negotiations will have to take place to agree on a fee to bring the Frenchman to north London and Lyon is under no obligation to sell him at all. Aouar himself may not even be interested in a change to Arsenal due to the fact that we cannot offer him the Champions League this season.
Therefore, while signing Aouar is not completely impossible, we should not throw all our eggs in one basket. We need other options. The French international is said to be worth around € 60 million, which would mean Arsenal would have to be prepared to pay a lot of money. So here are three potentially equally expensive alternatives if Arsenal miss Aouar.
Jack grealish
Arsenal, Jack Grealish (Photo by Dan Istitene / Getty Images)
Initially, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was ridiculously snubbed from an England call-up by Gareth Southgate for the final round of Nations League matches. However, after some team withdrawals and a great backlash, Villa’s captain was welcomed into the fold. Rightly so, as Grealish enjoyed a sensational 2019/20 season with Villa.
Over the course of the Premier League season, he racked up eight goals and six assists, for an otherwise poor Villa team. Deployed on the left flank or left side of a midfield three, Grealish was a shining light for the Midlands side. Similarly, Aouar also plays on the left side of a three for Lyon. Thus, Grealish is likely to be a good fit for the role Mikel Arteta plans to deploy Aouar in.
Grealish’s versatility would also be welcome. The 24-year-old is capable of the aforementioned roles, as well as in position number ten, so he could adapt to a number of different formations – his straight run and eye for goal would surely mean he would offer us something different. in the midfield. Meanwhile, its impressive xA / 90 of 0.19 last season suggests that it would help solve our creative crisis. He’s known to have his heart set on leaving Villa, so he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.
Martin Odegaard
(Photo by Alejandro Rios / DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
After a successful loan stint with Real Sociedad last season, it appears that Martin Odegaard is finally becoming the touted player he would become in his teens. The Norweigen’s excellent control and unique left foot mean that he would probably fit well on the left side of Arsenal’s midfield.
Odegaard’s creative numbers for the 2019/20 season are remarkably similar to Grealish’s. He had six assists in the league and posted an xA / 90 of 0.18. So, right now, Odegaard is not your archetypal Mesut Özil-esque creator. Still, neither is Aouar, who posted an xA / 90 of just 0.14 last season. Like Aouar, Odegaard is known for his ability to draw the game nicely and consistently contribute to his team’s offensive play. So if Arteta is looking for the kind of player he can mold into a specific offensive midfielder role, at age 21, Odegaard could be that man.
The problem with this could be Real Madrid’s stance on the player. So far, reports have suggested that Zinedine Zidane wants to retain the youngster who could still prove to be a star for Los Blancos. With that being said, Zidane already has a host of midfield options available to him. So if a big offer comes in, Real might be tempted. If it was up to me, I’d do my best for the Norwegian if we can’t get Aouar.
Phil Foden
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images)
Finally, the most peculiar option of the three. Yes, this sounds unlikely, but please hear me out. This week it has been inferred that Juventus have abandoned their interest in Aouar. So that leaves us and Man City as the pioneers in the race to sign the Frenchman. If City prevail in that race, that would leave Foden in the same position he was in last season. Second violin.
This may not satisfy the man Pep Guardiola once boasted as the “most talented” player he has ever seen. The 20-year-old is said to have had a strong relationship with Arteta while the two were together at City, so could Arteta use that relationship to tempt ‘Stockport Iniesta’ north of London? It is not impossible. But very, very amazing.
Foden, who made his England debut on Saturday, would be a fitting solution to Arteta’s offensive midfield woes. When deployed as the number eight on the left side for Mancheser City, the youngster has consistently excelled. That such a young man posted an xA / 90 of 0.20 last season certainly bodes well for the future. You will undoubtedly become one of the best creative players in the game if you continue on your current path. Will he do it with Arsenal? It is unlikely, but not inconceivable.
[ad_2]
