Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac Must Offer More Than Assists

Sead Kolasinac offered up two excellent assists on Thursday night. To be a success at Arsenal, though, he must be far more than a wide attacking threat.

Modern football is evolving at a rapid and significant rate. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are a large factor in the changes that the sport has undertaken throughout the past two decades. The defensive masterclasses of years gone by are increasingly rarer to find; there is a greater pace and intensity to the game; no longer is it acceptable to kick opponents off the park.

All of these changes, some for the better and others for the worse, have culminated in a sport that prefers and pushes attack-minded styles. That is no bad thing. Certainly, the beautiful game is rarely more beautiful than when watching attacking play with great precision and fluidity, flowing throughout the pitch with sweeping, passing moves, incisive dribbles and ferocious finishes.

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Perhaps more than any other position, these changes to the game have altered how full-backs are now rated. Although they are officially defenders, what is asked of them is far from that of even a decade ago. The emergence of players like Dani Alves and Marcelo have furthered the opinion that full-backs must have the pace and the quality to contribute to the side’s attacking play.

And that is, in large part, why many Arsenal fans are pining for investment at the left-back position this summer. Nacho Monreal has amassed just two assists all season, and while being exposed defensively on a number of occasions, especially when up against the pacier variety of wingers that the Premier League has to offer, he has not showcased enough attacking production to make up for his defensive deficiencies.

It seems as though Wenger agrees, having reportedly agreed on a deal to sign Sead Kolasinac at the end of the season on a free transfer when his contract expires with current club Schalke. And after his two-assist performance in the German club’s Thursday night win over Ajax in the Europa League, Arsenal fans are rather positive regarding his potential quality.

But that is a shortsighted assessment of the full-back position. Very much akin to the evolution of the position due to the changes of modern football, people are far too quick to negate the ability to defend when evaluating the pros and cons of possible additions.

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Kolasinac, thankfully, is an adept defender, blessed with a great physicality that aids him greatly in one-on-one situations. However, if he is to be successful at Arsenal, then he must do much more than offer up sumptuous assists. He is, after all, a defender first and an attacker second.

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