Arsenal: Should Dimitri Payet Be Pursued?

Arsenal are reportedly interested in a host of right wingers. After an impressive Premier League season, should West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet be pursued by the Gunners?

The European Championships, the second best international football tournament in the world got underway last night with hosts France edging out a nervy encounter against Romania. Les Blues were the superior side for much of the game, but lacked that crucial moment of quality in the final third to unlock a stubborn Romanian defense.

That was until Dimitri Payet stepped up. After a performance where he was France’s main instigator, Payet, in the 89th minute, received the ball from a lovely little reverse pass from N’Golo Kante, spun and fired in a vicious left foot strike into the far top corner. It was a sensational goal that, had it not come, would have left Paris feeling rather deflated.

However, Payet proved his real quality throughout the 90 minutes, until he was subbed off amid a sea of celebration of cheers, and perhaps suggested that he is ready for a move to one of the bigger clubs in Europe.

The West Ham winger had a tremendous first campaign in the Premier League. He was crucial to the Irons surprising rise up the table, his goals and assists helped Slaven Bilic’s side challenge, though ultimately fall short, for a Champions League place and he was voted in to PFA’s team of the year, something that is even more impressive when you consider he came to England with no Premier League experience and was injured for two months of the campaign.

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This leads me to the question; should Arsenal pursue the West Ham and France star this Summer?

Many among Arsenal circles feel that the right wing position is a current weakness in the side. Theo Walcott is seen as wasted talent that will never fulfill is potential, Chamberlain is too injury prone, and Alex Iwobi and Joel Campbell, while talented, are not in the upper echelon of Premier League winners.

It seems as though Arsene Wenger agrees, as there have been significant reports linking Arsenal with both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Riyad Mahrez, two players who would improve Arsenal’s options in that troublesome wide position. However, are Arsenal missing a trick by not pursuing Payet this Summer?

Wenger has, by his own accord, watched Payet for a number of years, stating:

"“I have known him for a long, long time. When he played at St Etienne he played there for a few years and we watched him many times. He has all the attributes to be a top, top player and is that in fact. He is 29-years-old already, but this season he has matured a lot as he has come back into the national team when he looked to be out. That shows he has been much more consistent.”"

Payet would clearly be an improvement on Arsenal’s current options, perhaps the only downside would be his age. At 29, Payet does not has not much resale value. However, Arsenal do not need the money, they have plenty of income from other sources without selling on players. A Payet signing would indicate that Arsenal are ready to win the Premier League now, something that with the right additions, Arsenal would be.

Next: Olivier Giroud Is Facing A Massive Career Test

The question is: Is Dimitri Payet the right addition?

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