Arsenal: Malcom, if not perfect, is at least exciting

Per Sky Sports, Arsenal have entered into talks with Bordeaux regarding 20-year-old winger Malcom, who has been touted as a possible Alexis Sanchez replacement. The attacker, while perhaps not the perfect signing, is at least new and different and refreshing. He is, at a minimum, exciting.

This is a stale and stagnating Arsenal squad. The turnover of player has been extremely slow, meaning that many players have been with the team for many, many years. If they had been successful years, then such continuity would be beneficial; they weren’t successful years and, as a result, the consistency of personnel has led to a rotting, rather than a deep, entrenched, shared flourishing.

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Arsene Wenger, who is, as Ivan Gazidis revealed, the sole decision maker at the club, is responsible for this. He is the builder. He may take advice from others, from his scouts, his coaches, perhaps even his senior players. But, ultimately, the buying and selling of a player is decided by just one man. As such, the mawkish essence to this squad can be attributed to Wenger.

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It is in this context that Arsenal, seemingly, will have to replace the key pillar on which their attack has rested. Alexis Sanchez, if reports are to be believed, and if you are willing to read into his dropping for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, is nearing an exit, with Manchester City pushing hard to secure his services. Wenger has previously said that if Sanchez were to leave, then he would be replaced by a player of ‘top quality’, and it seems as though he has identified his man.

Per Sky Sports, Arsenal are set to enter into talks with French club Bordeaux regarding the possible transfer of 20-year-old winger Malcom. The Brazilian has been attracting great attention this season with a series spectacular goals, and is thought to be available for a bid in the range of £40 million, though there is serious competition for his signature, including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

In 1467 Ligue 1 minutes this season, Malcom has scored seven goals and assisted a further four. He plays with a great attacking intent, rarely looking to play the safe pass, prepared to push the envelope in search for the goal. His attacking intent is very similar to that of Sanchez. He also has a lovely left foot. His delivery is excellent, his shoots with real venom, especially from distance, and his passing, when he drifts inside from the right flank is incisive and precise.

However, he often holds onto the ball for too long, losing possession a little too often, his decision-making can go awry, often failing to see the correct pass earlier in an attacking move, and he doesn’t quite have the top-end speed that a Riyad Mahrez or Wilfried Zaha would offer — he is, admittedly, very explosive in short spaces, displaying a lovely quickness and agility.

But at 20, such warts are bearable. He still has time to grow and develop, to master his trade and hone his craft; he is not expected to be the complete package already. They do, however, restrict my liking of the signing. He is a good player with a lot of talent, but he is no Alexis Sanchez. He is not the perfect replacement, if such a thing even exists.

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Having said that, he is new, different, and refreshing. He’s the shiny toy that you get at Christmas, even if it’s not quite the one you wanted. He is, in a word, exciting. He spruces up the stagnation. Fot that and that alone, I would very much like to see him at the Emirates this season.