Arsenal Can Do Better Than Nolito This Transfer Window

Arsenal may have a need for attacking options, but that does not mean they need to go out and drop money on just anyone. Nolito does not fit in.

There are few players in La Liga who have made more of a splash than Nolito. The Celta Vigo star has scored eight times in fifteen appearances for his club, all from his special place, the left flank. With Celta Vigo fiercely competing for a European berth, Nolito obviously holds a key place on the team.

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However, with the Spanish side having dropped three straight La Liga matches, rumors have re-emerged that Nolito may be better off seeking his fortunes elsewhere. Namely, Arsenal.

The Gunners have a bit of an iffy situation on the wings. Alexis is clearly the bees knees, but he is injured and with it being a hamstring injury, you can never be too safe. Then there is Joel Campbell, who has proven to be a bit of a gem on the wings, albeit still young. Theo Walcott has returned to the wings but we do not know for how long. The Ox is also there, but his inconsistency is the worst of the bunch.

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There is room for a little stability in that rotation. There is a chance that Nolito could provide that. However, at 29 years of age, Nolito has never left the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish way is his way. While it would not be impossible, asking someone who has spent over a decade in one play style to learn a brand new one, one that is rather difficult to learn, is a tough task. The transition from Spain to England is not an easy one. The physicality of the Premier League is quite the obstacle.

Nolito recently signed an extension at Celta Vigo that raised his release clause to £13.4m. That is a price that Arsenal is supposedly ready and willing to pay. Again, if reports are to be believed. But is this the best course of action? I am here to opine that it is not.

First of all, the aforementioned reasons give plenty of ground to make the claim that Nolito is not the answer. Arsenal need reliability, a rotational option, and someone with very little acclimation necessary. Nolito provides a rotational option, but he would need time to acclimate and at 29 years of age, time is not exactly on his side.

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Along with those reasons, there are other reasons not to be too keen on this rumor. There are other options out there. I know I spoke of reliability and acclimation, so this next name may be a bit of a question mark, but Stephan El Shaarawy is going to be available. At just 23 years of age, he provides Arsenal with a potential game-changing signing at just about the same price.

Jese is also out there, and while Zidane is probably not in the market to offload too much right away, he may be able to be coaxed out of the Bernebeu if he does not factor into Zidane’s plans. Speaking of Zidane’s plans, Denis Cheryshev is also unlikely to factor much.

True, both of those options are from Spain, just like Nolito, but both are also considerably younger.

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There is also the option of Kevin Mirallas. While Roberto Martinez has put up a wall around the Belgian, his lack of playing time suggests that he may be able to be lured out of the castle Martinez built.

There are better options out there than Nolito. Naturally, it would be exciting if he came to Arsenal, as it would be a signing, but there are so many more exciting options.