Arsenal Much Bigger Club Than Napoli, Despite Agent Claims

Arsenal's French midfielder Mathieu Flamini vies with Napoli's Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili (L) during the UEFA Champions League group F football match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples on December 11, 2013. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal's French midfielder Mathieu Flamini vies with Napoli's Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili (L) during the UEFA Champions League group F football match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples on December 11, 2013. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Amid recent reports that Arsenal are interested in Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj, his agent has claimed that moving to the Emirates would not be a step up from the Italian club.

Debating the size of respective clubs is something that truly enrages fans. They all would like to stick up for their own club, boasting about their past achievements, the history, the facilities and the fan base.

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While much of these discussions are meaningless and uncontrolled, sometimes, comments from a player, manager or agent do truly disrespect another club, and anger fans like me to write articles like this.

Arsenal have recently been linked with Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj. Hysaj certainly has qualities that would endear him to the Gunners and he would be, without ever being groundbreaking, a decent addition to a weak center half group.

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Nonetheless, it is recent comments from his agent that have inspired this post. The clueless agent in question is Mario Giuffredi, who has recently stated that Arsenal are not a step up from Napoli. Here are his comments:

"“I consider Arsenal to be on the same level as Napoli, certainly not better. Napoli have become one of the most important clubs in Europe. He has to remain at Napoli for at least another year, as the Champions League enables you to become a complete player.”"

These comments are ridiculous for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, Arsenal are better than Napoli. Finishing second in the Premier League with an improving squad and growing financial clout is an attractive club to join. Meanwhile, finishing second in a weak Serie A with the best players being consistently linked away from the club, while continuing to fail in the Champions League does not compare.

Not only are Arsenal’s achievements now more impressive, but they are trending upwards. Their best players are likely to stay and Wenger has already shown his intent to improve by brining in Granit Xhaka.

Secondly, and perhaps more crucially, Giuffredi states that the “Champions League enables you to become a more complete player.” That is a 100% true statement. However, if he truly wanted Hysaj to develop into a “complete player” then there is no better way to learn how to defend than in the Premier League and in English football.

Arsenal would still be able to offer that oh so precious Champions League football that Giuffredi believes will be crucial to his player’s development, but they would also offer him a chance to test himself against a variety of styles of play. English football is notoriously tough to handle. There have been countless times when successful players on the continent come to the Premier League and fail.

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If Hysaj truly wants to develop his game, experiencing the English game is a massive plus. Arsenal are most certainly a step up from Napoli. While the Italian team does possess talent, much of it may leave this Summer and the Gunners can offer a greater learning experience while also bringing success in the here and now. Giuffredi, what in the world have you been smoking?