Arsenal: Antoine Griezmann Levels Transfer Playing Field
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal are always going to have an open dialogue with Antoine Griezmann and the Frenchman has finally leveled the transfer battle with United.
Arsenal seemed to be ticketed for a future that involved Antoine Griezmann. Despite the Frenchman residing happily at Atletico Madrid, he has openly admitted that he would love to come play in the Premier League.
Related: Arsenal’s 30 Greatest Players Ever
This came after we already knew that Wenger was an admirer of Griezmann and had tried to sign him in the past. So it’s like a transfer link that finally has some palpable evidence of being a real thing.
That got really shaky when Griezmann mentioned that he would love to play with Paul Pogba at a club level. Already international team mates, Griezmann seemed to favor a Manchester United move with this bit of small talk, especially in the world of transfer tabloids, where every breath is an indication of where you want to play.
Not surprisingly, the transfer talk to North London cooled off as the talk of him landing in Manchester increased. Like a nonexistent tug-of-war, it was Arsenal’s turn to tug back and they have, via German publication Revier Sport.
Speaking on German football, Griezmann yet again re-upped his claim that he wants to stay in La Liga or go to England. But that wasn’t the good part.
Griezmann was asked which German player’s he is fond of and the first name out of his mouth was Mesut Ozil:
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
“Mesut Özil is an outstanding player,” he said. “I appreciate his playing style, his passing quality, and also that he always manages a playful solution through a deep pass or a dribbling. He is very elegant with the ball.”
Sounds like Griezmann would like to play with Ozil… almost as much as he would like to play with Pogba.
I added that last bit.
It makes sense though. And if Arsenal can keep building on this momentum and push towards winning major trophies as well as retaining the superstars they do have, why should it seem so impossible that Griezmann would come to town?
At the very least, I think we should be able to agree on the fact that it is still more likely that he comes to the Emirates than to the Theater of Dreams. The only thing that has linked him to United is some small talk about respect.
Next: Wenger's 10 Worst Signings Ever
His link to Arsenal goes much deeper than that. Past history, open dialogue, continuous talks – it’s all part of the Griezmann to North London recipe.