Arsenal: Lucas Moura stinks of unfounded desperation

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura. The rumours stink of desperation from Arsene Wenger, suggesting to me that there is little truth in them.

Arsene Wenger is a notoriously considered and careful manager. He is stubborn in his beliefs and patient in his decision making. He is not rash and outlandish. He is polite and thoughtful, ensuring that he makes what he believes to be best the choice for Arsenal football club, no matter how long it takes to arrive at such an action.

Next: Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Player ratings

This summer he has seemingly arrived at the belief that his side needed an attacking impetus added to elevate their game to the next level. He first made an audacious, world-record bid for Kylian Mbappe. He then completed the club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette. And since then, several different names have been linked with a move to North London.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

The most prominent of these names, Thomas Lemar, is ostensibly unavailable. Despite the lingering rumours suggesting otherwise, Monaco have been quite clear in their stance: given the exodus of talent they have suffered this summer, Lemar will not be sold, no matter the offer made. It seems fairly clear.

So if Wenger is wanting to bolster his attacking options, especially in midfield and out wide, then he may have to look beyond his preferred choice. Riyad Mahrez has been mentioned, as has Ross Barkley and Jean-Michael Seri, who are more central players but would still bring an attacking intent and creative streak to the side. But no offers have yet been made.

And that is significant. Wenger is a hesitant character. He does not rush into things. So why would he rush into finding an alternative to a player that he saw as the perfect attacking weapon when there may still be a chance of securing his priority?

It is in this context that rumours from Brazil surface linking Wenger with a move for Lucas Moura. The remarkable £198 million addition of Neymar knocks Moura another rung down the ladder, with Julian Draxler and Angel di Maria already ahead of him anyway. An exit seems likely. An exit to Arsenal, though, does not.

And that is simply because of Wenger’s tendencies in his management and his transfer dealings. Signing Moura stinks of desperation and panic, as if all his other options have disappeared and he’s happy to sign anyone. Given the strength of the current squad, that is not a position that Wenger will be forced into. He will be picky.

Next: Arsenal Vs Chelsea: 5 things we learned

I do not expect him to be picky about Moura. The Brazilian may be a bright player with some startling attributes that make him an enticing option. But he has not been on Wenger’s radar all summer and that makes me doubt the validity of these reports more than anything else.