Arsenal: The European pitfall that Bundesliga avoids-ish
Signing players from Europe can be risky for Premier League clubs. But Arsenal may be avoiding the usual pitfalls by turning to the Bundesliga. Here’s why.
Robert Pires has talked at length of the difficulty that he had in adapting to life in England when he was first signed by Arsenal in 2000. His first season was a difficult one. Injured, inconsistent, and struggling to adapt to the uniquely physical nature of the game, Pires, a French international with more than 50 caps, folded.
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A year later, he was winning Footballer of the Year as he inspired his side to a wonderful double-winning season, the second in four years for a club that was increasingly French at its heart.
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But Pires’ story tells of the difficulties that can arise for players of foreign descent who have no prior experience of playing in the Premier League. Now, the disparity in the footballing culture is not as vast as it was nearly 20 years ago. English football, with the influx of foreign players and managers, has softened, and with a vast array of nationalities now in the Premier League, it is easier for those who are new to settle into life in this country.
However, that does not mean that the differences are not still there. It took Mesut Ozil some time to adapt and learn, as it did with Alexis Sanchez and the two leading Premier League lights, Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah who both had stints at Chelsea in their younger years to break the Premier League ice such that they could flourish when they next returned. It may not be as stark it used to be, but it is still there and does still cause problems.
In this summer’s revolutionary window, Arsenal have solely focused on European imports. Of the four signings that they have either officially completed are on the verge of completing as of writing, all come from two leagues: the Bundesliga and Serie A. And it is the Bundesliga signings that I believe are significant.
Obviously, one of the primary reasons as to why they have been acquired is because Sven Mislintat, the Gunners’ new Head of Recruitment, knows the Bundesliga and German football better than any other European demographic. But I do believe that the Bundesliga experience of Sokratis and Bernd Leno sets them up well for their time in north London.
While the Bundesliga is a league based in mainland Europe, it’s style of football is much more akin to the Premier League. There are quick, fast-paced counter-attacks; there are strong, commanding, tough-tackling defenders; there is a tempo, a speed, and a physical edge that makes it distinct from its La Liga-inspired counterparts.
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There will, obviously, still be learning curves for both Sokratis and Leno. There always will be with new players, even those that have played in England before. But their experience in the Bundesliga will help avoid the normal European pitfalls. They may not hit the ground running, but, hopefully, they’re able to avoid the same difficulties that Pires toiled through all those years ago.