Arsenal: Miguel Almiron has one serious problem

Miguel Almiron is being very strongly linked with a move to Arsenal. There is just one problem with the Atlanta United midfielder: the quality of opposition.

The rumours linking Miguel Almiron to Arsenal are seriously beginning to pick up. For a nice summary of the recent reporting, how accurate and attested it is, and whether there will be any developments in the future, see this nice piece from Bleacher Report.

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To summarise, an initial report stated that Arsenal wanted to bring Almiron to north London for £11 million in January. Atlanta United president, Darren Eales, stated that the reported figure would need to be tripled if an offer was to be accepted. And we are now at an impasse.

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It remains to be seen what will happen — there may not have ever been any interest in the first place. At this point, no one really knows. But if the Gunners were to pursue and eventually complete a move for Almiron, they would be signing a player with one serious problem that may be insurmountable.

I should state at this point that I am the editor of MLS Multiplex and have a comprehensive understanding of MLS. I have watched Almiron and Atlanta extensively over the past two seasons and am not speaking from an unknowledgeable basis.

Almiron is a technically excellent player. He plays predominantly in the number 10 position in a thoroughly exciting Atlanta team, tasked with being the creative hub in support of the league’s top goalscorer, Josef Martinez. His manipulation of the ball is phenomenal, he has great vision, awareness, creativity, and plays with a surprising energy, effort and industry for a largely creative player — this is, as Mesut Ozil is discovering, an increasing demand of the high-pressing modern game.

In 62 career MLS appearances, 59 of which are starts, Almiron has amassed a staggering 21 goals and 28 assists. He has directly contributed to a goal every 105.18 minutes, which is a terrific rate for any attacking player in any league. But that is the crux of the issue right here: Almiron is playing in MLS.

I am a fan of MLS and enjoy watching the games. But there is a substantial drop off in quality between the Premier League — and the majority of European leagues — and MLS, especially in the defending. This is a league that is currently being dominated by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney, two players who were deemed finished by English clubs.

This is meant as no disrespect to MLS and just because Almiron has not played at a level as high as the Premier League does not mean that he does not have the ability to do so. Ultimately, no one really knows if Almiron has the quality to deliver at the highest level. But it is a problem that he will have to overcome.

Will it be critical to his success when he does move to Europe, which he most certainly will soon? That remains to be seen. But it would be a risk for Arsenal if they have to pay £33 million to find out.