Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac the ideal quality and character

Arsene Wenger has heralded Sead Kolasinac’s character, as well as his quality. Arsenal’s latest marauding sensation has the ideal blend of force and finesse, both in his play and his personality.

Sead Kolasinac is very quickly becoming an Arsenal favourite.

Signed in the summer on a free transfer from Schalke, Kolasinac has settled in well to life at the Emirates, impressing greatly as a surging, driving wing-back, bombing relentlessly up and down the left flank with endearing power and effort.

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And Arsene Wenger, when asked about the Bosnian international after his goal-and-assist performance against Swansea City on Saturday, was keen to point out Kolasinac’s character as much as quality, stating that he is a winner who delivers when it matters most:

"“Sead’s a winner. Fans want winners and he could deliver again when it was needed today. He didn’t hit it [his shot] into the stand, he hit it into the back of the net. That shows that the guy is a winner. He’s been a success because he’s a good football player, and he looks like he’s made for the wing-back position because he likes to go forward and the timing of his runs is very good. After that, I believe as well he has that natural physical power that is needed in the Premier League. Without that, you struggle.”"

Kolasinac has established himself as a fan favourite because of his freakish power, athleticism and force. But he is far more balanced than many would perhaps believe. For the second goal, for example, he showed great football intelligence to see Aaron Ramsey, and then had the quality and precision to place the ball perfectly for the Welshman to run onto.

Equally, not only is he balanced in terms of his undoubted force and surprising finesse, but he also matches his overall quality with his character; his play is equalled by his personality. As Wenger rghtly states, fans like winners. And the reason is a simple one. They are invaluable to successful teams.

Having players who have the nous, the experience and the will to win yields victories. Points must, sometimes, be ground out, like at the weekend. They will not be given; they may not be deserved. They must be taken, even when the level of performance is lacking.

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That is what Kolasinac brings to this team. He brings a real presence on the pitch, in his physicality and his more subtle qualities, and he leads the squad in the dressing room with his desire to win. Both are important. Both improve the Arsenal team. Both make him one of the signings of the summer.

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