Whenever people describe Arsene Wenger they relate him to a man who is always interested in bringing in young players and moulding them into a finished product. Such was the case with players like French legend and former World cup winner Thierry Henry, Spanish midfielder and current Chelsea player Cesc Fabregas and former Arsenal Invincibles’ captain Patrick Viera to mention a few.
This season, Wenger has already signed young 17 year-old French winger Jeff Reine-Adelaide from French club RC Lens and has straightaway drafted him into the club’s first team. This shows Wenger’s belief in young players. Recently Talk Sport reported that the Gunners were interested in signing Barcelona B defensive midfielder Sergi Samper.
The Gunners have only three defensive midfielders in the current squad with the likes of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini clearly ageing and finding it difficult to find form. Francis Coquelin is the only option right now and hence Wenger has reportedly decided to bring in younger legs to assist Le Coq in the CDM position. Samper, a 20-year old Spain U21 International has just four Barcelona senior team appearances to his name. Mainly part of the Barcelona B team in the Spanish Segunda division,
He made his Barcelona first team debut last season in the Champions League against Cypriot club APOEL Nicosia. With Sergio Busquets clearly latching on to the defensive midfielder position at Barca, it would be very difficult for Sergi Samper to make an impact in La Liga this season. Wenger feels his style of play would suit the Premier League and above all if he joins, he would relieve Coquelin of the extra pressure he has been under since the second half of last season. Though Barcelona are trying their best to keep Samper at Camp Nou this season they could be tempted to selling him if Arsenal are willing to match their £8.5m evaluation of Samper. Hence let us keep hoping that the best thing happens.
Another youngster who was recently linked with Arsenal is 24-year old Russia and Real Madrid left winger Denis Cheryshev. He was earlier linked with fellow Premier League rival club Liverpool with the Merseyside club believed to have made a £14.1 million bid for the player, but the Gunners are reportedly willing to go higher than that to sign the player. The lure of Champions League football could also be significant in making up the Russian winger’s mind.
He has never played a league game for Real and has been loaned out to both Sevilla and Villarreal, where he impressed last season. The Telegraph claims Arsenal are willing to bid £15.3 million for the talented 24-year-old. He had featured in a match for Real Madrid two seasons back in the Copa del Rey, but has spent the last two seasons on loan elsewhere. Cheryshev has seven Russian National team caps to his name as well.
He is sharp, pacy and is best known for his dribbling skills. Though we already have so many wingers in our squad, Cheryshev could be a valuable addition considering our long schedule this season. He can come up handy in our cup games and can also be utilized during our expected injury crisis period. If he joins Arsenal, he can also play in the U21 Premier League as one of the three over-aged players to improve both physically and mentally and adapt himself to the bigger picture, the Premier League. He has the capacity to become a world class player in few years. Hence if Wenger decides to bring him in it won’t be a bad idea.
We’ll know in a few days or weeks whether these deals will materialize or not. Until then let us just keep our fingers crossed.
