Arsenal: Konstantinos Mavropanos breaking new ground

Arsene Wenger has stated that he will now keep Konstantinos Mavropanos at Arsenal until the end of the season. The young defender must have been mightily impressive in training to force the change of heart.

Arsene Wenger has always had a keen eye for targeting, acquiring and developing youngsters. Throughout his time at Arsenal, which has now extended over three different decades, Wenger has wanted a squad that encourages youth, providing them with a safe place in which they can hone their skills, master their trade, and establish themselves in the senior game.

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And so, the next name arrives: Konstantinos Mavropanos. Like many that have preceded him, Mavropanos is very much an unknown. A 20-year-old, Greek defender who is not exactly a household name. The epitome of a Wenger signing.

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But, ironically, that is exactly what he isn’t. Mavropanos is the work of Sven Mislintat, the recent hired Head of Recruitment at the Emirates. And Wenger, as a manager who has never had to work in such an environment, is already beginning to adapt to his moulded role. This is what Wenger said when he was asked about whether a deal for Mavropanos had been completed after the 2-2 draw with Chelsea a week ago:

"“Yes, but he’s not ready to play for us, we’ll give him out on loan.”"

And this is what he said exactly a week later, after a 0-0 draw with Chelsea:

"“I personally want to keep him until May to know him better, to assess his level. The first signs he showed in training were so encouraging that I decided to keep him.”"

Wenger has changed his mind.

That, in the space of a week, is a rare thing. Wenger is notoriously stubborn. He does not like to adapt; he does not like to change course. And yet, here he is, just seven days later, saying the exact opposite of what he said the first time, and this time it has nothing to do with the inevitable departure of a star player.

Mavropanos impressed so much that he even made the bench on Wednesday night. Now, I have my doubts over whether Wenger would ever have trusted him had he needed him. Per Mertesacker was also available, and it’s difficult to see how Wenger would turn to an unknown 20-year-old who had arrived just a week prior having never played in England before ahead of the club captain.

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But the point stands: In just a week’s worth of training, Mavropanos has done enough to change Wenger’s mind. That does not mean that he is destined to be this great centre-half. It simply means that he has made a good start to life in North London. For now, that is all that you can ask of him.