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Why Denis Cheryshev is the Perfect Investment for Arsenal

By Josh Sippie

By Werner100359 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By Werner100359 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons /
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Arsenal have only spent 10 million pounds of the 50 million pounds they were rumored to be ready to spend this summer. However, with Arsenal’s usual transfer policy, this should come as no surprise. Without the perfect, exceptional talent, Arsenal go hungry for new signings.

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Denis Cheryshev may not be the perfect exceptional talent, but there are many things that he is that make him the ideal candidate for a minor, 15 million pound investment.

First of all, the 24-year old Russian is young and out of favor. If he were French, he would hold the three keys to Arsene Wenger’s heart, but having two of the three still grants him pretty easy passage.

Denis Cheryshev was 12 when he joined Real Madrid as he was pegged as an excellent talent. However, in the process of buying first and developing second, Real Madrid managed to lose track of young Cheryshev as he has found his way to thirty loan appearances and a grand total of zero Real Madrid appearances.

Although, given his loan appearances at Villareal this past year, it is quite clear that Denis Cheryshev is ready for something bigger and perhaps more permanent. He netted seven goals and added ten assists with the Spanish side, despite their last place finish. His nine league assists were tied with Gareth Bale and Xavi (via FoxSports). And before you go saying that Xavi was used primarily as a sub, keep in mind that he actually played 100 more minutes than our man Denis Cheryshev.

In fact, when considering assists per 90 minutes played, Cheryshev had a .48 clip. Guess who else had a .48 clip? Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two league leaders in assists.

So Denis Ceryshev can assist.

Real Madrid have no room for Cheryshev and if they are not going to part with Karim Benzema, the least Arsenal can do is pay a third of the price to land the Russian winger. Liverpool have already been linked with him but Arsenal are actually finding themselves in need of another attacking option.

Which brings me to point number two of why Arsenal should pay the price for the out of favor Russian. He is a true left winger, left footed, and good at crossing.

Alexis Sanchez currently holds down the left wing spot but consider this: Given that both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have struggles in the striker spot, wouldn’t Arsenal be well served giving Alexis a more central role at striker and allowing a true left wing to widen the pitch and penetrate from the left? Alexis has always been more of a striker than a winger anyway and the Chilean is not a prominent crosser.

He had slim chances at striker last season and needs to be given another look. This is the perfect excuse to give him that look.

Now, back to the width issue.

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Arsenal looked cluttered and yet somehow still lost as a unit against West Ham. They had four central midfielders starting, all of whom were bunched in the box, leaving the left side completely empty. The right side with the Ox and Bellerin has plenty of speed and width but a left side with Monreal and even Alexis does not have the same width. Alexis drifts centrally and swaps with Ozil who then swaps back.

The left side of the pitch essentially sits bare, allowing the opposing defense to leave it and focus on the center and right side. Arsenal are doing the other team a favor.

Again, Denis Cheryshev fixes that. By bringing width, all of the Gunners benefit because the defense is spread across a wider area, allowing Ozil more room to find passes and a now-striking Alexis more room to dribble.

Partner Cheryshev with Kieran Gibbs and the width will multiply.

Arsene Wenger tried his hand at the Russian market when nabbing Andrey Arshavin and it did not exactly work out but Denis Cheryshev will work out. He is taller, more skillful, still young and the perfect solution to Arsenal’s problem. Even if he begins at a bench role, at least the option is there.

Plus, consider this, if 45 million is too expensive for Karim Benzema or Higuain, then spending 15 million on a left wing that therefore allows Alexis to resume being a world class striker is just as good. It is a bargain buy and that is the all-important fourth key to Wenger’s heart.

Next: Krychowiak is needed too

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