Arsenal have needs in several areas, but with the future of Nicolas Pepe remaining uncertain, it appeared the wide forward role would be an area the Gunners would pursue. With the previous links and chase of Raphinha, this suddenly became a reality.
However, Arsenal are not on course to sign Raphinha after both Chelsea and Barcelona moved ahead of the Gunners in the race. Instead, Edu has been focusing on Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, but whilst that thread continues, the need on the wing persists.
This has led to links with Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio. According to the Spanish outlet AS via The Express, Arsenal joined AC Milan in the pursuit of the Spanish international with a price tag set at around €40m (£35.4m), although other reports have suggested it could be less.
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So should Arsenal be looking to Asensio? football.london breaks down the positives and negatives of a potential deal for the Real Madrid playmaker.
Beginning with the benefits of a move, at only 26, Asensio represents a player entering the prime years of his career but not too late that the money invested would depreciate in a couple of seasons. Arsenal have skewed towards a younger profile of a player, and adding a player of Asensio’s experience would help balance the group.
His versatility is sure to be another asset Arteta admires. He can play on either flank or as a number ten and made his name on loan at Espanyol, where he reached double-figure for assists.
Known for the big occasion, Asensio has scored goals in big moments in the Champions League against the biggest of oppositions. He can also strike the ball brilliantly from outside the area and provides a long-range threat.
His vision is good, and playing with the talent on offer at Real has seen him link-up play with some of the best. Although, as will be covered shortly, his time has not been the best of late, a move abroad and a fresh lease of life could be exactly what Asensio needs.
However, this would be a risk for the club. They would be investing potentially more than they paid for Martin Odegaard or Fabio Vieira into a player who can play where the aforementioned duo can too.
The likes of Raphinha and Cody Gakpo are out and out wingers and wide forwards, whereas Asensio is not a player of this ilk. It would be quite the profile change to go from the Brazilian, for instance, to a player like Asensio.
Suffering an injury in 2019, Asensio has never looked the same as he was before. The serious knee affliction came, ironically, against Arsenal in a preseason friendly.
He scored on his return as the sport had just got back underway after a brief suspension due to the pandemic. However, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde have made opportunities difficult to come by, and a lack of consistent game time under Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti has not aided a smooth return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Asensio is an unknown, and with a lack of assuredness comes an increase in risk. Arsenal are rightly prioritising midfield and the defence over a wide player, and should those top-of-the-list moves occur, perhaps the bonus of Asensio would be welcome.
However, there are surely more options that fit what Arteta wants from his wide players more seamlessly than the Spaniard. It is a lot of money to pay for a player with this many questions, but if the choice is Asensio or no one, I lean toward the former.
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