Arsenal: Konstantinos Mavropanos for future and present

Arsenal’s young Greek centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos just made his first-team debut on Sunday. He played really well and looked confident. He may be one for the future, but his present should not be overlooked either.

Arsenal played a heavily rotated side on Sunday versus Manchester United. That was not all that surprising. But there was a shock thrown into the middle of it, young Greek giant Konstantinos Mavropanos made his first-team debut, and what a debut it was.

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Sunday’s game marked Arsene Wenger’s final visit to the Theatre of Dreams. It was marked with a special ovation to “Le Professor”, something that was to be expected. Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson’s rivalry was something special for English football. Both coached arguably the two biggest English teams in the world.

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But there was something else on show today, or rather someone, in the rather giant stature of Mavropanos. The big Greek centre-back put in quite the shift and won over the hearts of the fans. He may still be young but he has a bright future ahead of him if he continues at this pace.

Not much is known about him, especially prior to his January move, but what I do know is that he was solid, stable and secure on Sunday. Throughout, young Mavropanos looked calm and composed, something Arsenal fans aren’t used to. When challenged in the air, he dealt with it as if he had been in the league for many years. He may be a tall and powerful beast but he is also quick and has that tactical awareness that all centre-halves must possess. Being as quick as he is dealt with the threats of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku really well.

Admittedly, this is just one game and maybe I’m hoping on the Mavropanos hype train a little prematurely. But you can’t deny the potential and talent he possesses.

It may just be one game and he may get loaned out next season, but the talent, in my eyes, is there now and should be kept in north London. Arsenal need to keep their youngsters and develop them in-house because loaning them out season after season doesn’t necessarily help them. Take Joel Campbell for instance. He has talent, he’s just not better than what is already at the club. But in his successive loan spells at various different clubs, has he ever returned as a markedly improved player? Probably not.

Mavropanos may well have a bright future at the Emirates, but he could also have a very bright present. Maybe he plays cup matches or gets a game in the Premier League once in a while. Maybe he forces his way into the starting XI. Maybe he enters into the depth rotation with Calum Chambers as the third centre-half in the pecking order.

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But whoever takes over next season has to utilize the strength and power that Mavropanos possesses.  He may be talented and promising for the future, but I also feel that his present-day prospects should not be overlooked. What a wonderful debut.