Arsenal: The opinion-dividing possibility of Christian Pulisic

Arsenal are in dire need of width. Christian Pulisic is one name that has been linked. The American winger is an opinion-dividing possibility that should be exploited.

Arsenal’s blatantly obvious need for a winger is accentuated every time the narrow attack of primarily naturally central playing attackers takes to the pitch. An abundance of fantastically talented wide players such as Lille’s Nicolas Pepe and PSV’s Hirving Lozano have been linked numerous times with a move to north London.

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However, despite these big names being linked that many would like to see join the club, it would not be a true “Arsenal transfer window” if there was not a rumored switch that half of the fan base find to be the signing of a lifetime and the other half view as a total waste of money. As you may have predicted from the title, the player such divisive opinions are being held about is Borussia Dortmund youngster, Christian Pulisic.

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There is a common misconception around the American wonderkid, that his talents are there but he is not a top-drawer player. This largely stems from the fact that the young English superstar Jadon Sancho has seemingly taken his place in the Dortmund starting eleven. While Sancho is undoubtedly a better player overall, the former Manchester City attacker is being rumored to boast a price tag of around £100 million and he is known as one of the best youngsters on the planet.

The price tags associated with young players like Sancho in today’s day age are utterly preposterous given that he has really only had one successful season in his short career so far. Moreover, Pulisic similarly has not exactly been around long enough to warrant such a large price tag of approximately £50 million. But, unfortunately, that is just how insane the current inflation in the transfer market is at the moment. If Arsenal’s pursuit of a winger is a serious one, a large wad of cash is going to have to be splashed to bring in a decent player.

Whether it be Lozano, Pepe, Pulisic or one of the many other wingers that the Gunners are linked with, it is obvious that the media, as well as the fans, are well aware of the need for width within the team.

To many, Pulisic seems overpriced given his goal output, and believe he needs to work on his potency in front of goal. But as Pep Guardiola has shown with Raheem Sterling and even Unai Emery has shown with Alex Iwobi to a certain degree, end product in the final third can be taught, whereas pace and dribbling ability is picked up by a player in their much younger years.

Pulisic has both blistering pace as well as dynamic dribbling in abundance and would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal. Chelsea seem to have struck a deal for the American winger, worth around £57 million,  according to BEIN Sports, but how sweet would it be to pull off a last-minute hijacking? Just as sweet as the delightful taste in the chocolate smelling air in Pulisic’s native, Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Pulisic might just be the perfect player for Arsenal, although half of the fans won’t agree.