Fresh reports have emerged that Arsenal are back in the hunt for Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana after his move to Lyon fell through.
The Cameroonian had his ban reduced and will be able to take part in games from the end of the year. He had been linked with the Gunners earlier, but it looked like their interest had faded but that has changed with the latest developments.
As per De Telegraaf, Onana didn’t go through with a move to the French giants due to emerging interest from bigger clubs. And they state that the north Londoners could be the team that are in for the keeper.
These reports have made Arsenal fans happy, and they showed it on Twitter. Before his ban, Onana was one of the best keepers in Europe helping Ajax achieve success in Europe and domestically. Here are some of the best reactions from the supporters:
We need him! Leno is far too unreliable, great shot stopper but too many mistakes in him
— Darren Clark (@Daz_Clark) August 4, 2021
Makes total sense. Ask Leno to give us one more year.
— KroenkeOut (@ArsenalHome) August 4, 2021
Xhaka money was being used for ramsdale. Now it’s fell through onana is back on. No coincidence for me.
— David (@David68070214) August 4, 2021
Would be smart to get him. Leno plays for this season while Onana has his ban lifted, gets up to speed and then competes with Leno for a place. Onana hasnt played competetive football for 1 year, he wont be immediate starter after his ban.
— Rytis Navikonis (@RytisNavikonis) August 4, 2021
Don’t give me hope pic.twitter.com/s5sVznzhAZ
— Goatanelli (@GoatanelliL) August 4, 2021
Ramsdale was the smokescreen pic.twitter.com/3FFEnVxSPk
— Abdul (@Adxan_AFC) August 4, 2021
Arsenal Fever View
The Gunners have been linked with multiple keepers in this transfer window with the most concrete link being their interest in Aaron Ramsdale. While the Englishman is an exciting talent with a lot of potential, he would cost far more than what the Cameroon international would command.
This alone should tip the scales in favour of Onana and the 25-year-old would be a better fit stylistically. Manager Mikel Arteta likes his players to build attacks starting from the keeper and this requires someone who is excellent at distributing the ball.
For all his merits, this is one area that Bernd Leno tends to struggle with as his passing is not the best. But with the Ajax man, it is one of the best qualities that he has. Often playing as a sweeper akin to Manuel Neuer, Onana forms another part of the attack and helps keep the ball moving.
It is clear that Arsenal want to get a new keeper and their pursuit has been unsuccessful so far. But with Onana not joining Lyon, it has opened a window for the north Londoners to sneak in and get their man. Doing this is a no-brainer given the talent of the player and the fee that would be involved.
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