Arsenal: Denis Suarez the squad player fine by me

Alan Smith has stated that Denis Suarez may have to be happy with a squad-player role at Arsenal. But I thought that was what he was being signed as all along, right?

The only signing that Arsenal made all January transfer window was the deadline-day, loan acquisition of Denis Suarez. Given their numerical shortcomings in defensive positions, it is hardly the most inspiring of transfers as they look to hunt down a top-four finish for the first time in three seasons.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Man. Utd Madness; Transfer Travesty

But Suarez does arrive at a position of need. A versatile midfielder, capable of playing on either flank. Intelligent, skilful, and tidy in possession, he will slot in quite nicely to the possession-orientated style of Unai Emery’s midfield. And Emery will know that better than anyone, seeing as he worked with the Barcelona graduate during his time at Sevilla.

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Former Gooner Alan Smith, however, seems a little down on the transfer, and his club’s business throughout the winter window as a whole. Speaking on Sky Sports, Smith stated:

"“Arsenal fans would have loved to have seen a little bit more business in January, but they did manage to bring in Denis Suarez. How much will he play though? You would imagine he may be a bit of a squad player.”"

It is not an outright criticism of Suarez, but it does imply a little saltiness to the fact that the Gunners have not exactly signed a player who will immediately improve their starting XI.

I do have an element of sympathy with this viewpoint. A new right-back or centre-half or out-and-out winger would have been nice. But in the case of Suarez specifically, I don’t think the expectation ever was that Arsenal were signing a clear-cut starter who would markedly improve their midfield from day one.

Suarez was always about depth and versatility, simply having another option to use in the attacking midfield and central midfield areas. Emery has always wanted a collection of players that complement each other and can interchange with one another so that his selection is flexible from week to week.

This is precisely what Suarez provides. He is not a direct replacement for Aaron Ramsey. He does not push Alex Iwobi out of the side each and every week. He is not necessarily an improvement on Henrikh Mkhitaryan or the seemingly unwanted Mesut Ozil. He is all of those things and none of those things, depending on the thinking of Emery for that given week.

The point of having a squad is two-fold: Depth, which everyone tends to talk about, but also flexibility in style, to change how the team plays from one match to the next. Denis Suarez being a squad player, then, is no slight on him whatsoever. In fact, it is quite alright with me.