Arsenal: Moussa Dembele Represents All Things New

Arsenal are reportedly sending scouts to watch Moussa Dembele in the Old Firm Derby. Signing the Celtic striker in the summer would represent all things new.

The recent struggles of Arsenal have inspired a vociferous fan response. There has been a growing criticism of Arsene Wenger and his regime throughout the past few years after continual failure at the biggest stage. Those questions culminated this season.

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Since the turn of the year, the Gunners have been dismantled by Chelsea, Bayern Munich (twice) and Liverpool, as well as losing to the likes of Watford and drawing to Bournemouth thanks to a miraculous three-goal resurrection after a horrific first-half performance in which the Cherries utterly overran their visitors.

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As such, there have significant calls for a change to be made at the end of the season, with Wenger ending his tenure as his contract expires, many of the old players being sold after yet another underwhelming year, and new, fresh, exciting faces found in the transfer market. Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen but there are certainly some enticing names to make the mouth drool.

Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a move to the Emirates for many years. Alexandre Lacazette is another tantalising option, as is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has publicly declared his want to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the year.

However, perhaps none are as exciting as Moussa Dembele. The Celtic striker has been sensational under Brendan Rodgers this season, scoring 17 league goals 17 starts, and a further three in six Champions League games. Arsenal have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old in the past and, per a Sun report, have sent scouts to watch him in this weekend’s Old Firm Derby.

Acquiring Dembele’s services would commit the Gunners to utilising him as their long-term centre-forward. That would most certainly represent a changing of the guard. Whether Wenger decides to stay in North London beyond the summer or not, Dembele would be a player that begins to shift the characteristics of the squad from the players who have been entrenched in Wenger’s ideals.

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Dembele is an exciting, talented player who has a very bright future indeed. He would be an astute signing, for both the short and long-term prospects of the club. He would also represent change and, with or without Wenger, that is certainly a good thing for Arsenal.