Arsenal: Solly March a sneaky play at needed depth

Arsenal are supposedly eyeing up a move for Brighton winger Solly Marc, and while it seems diminutive, the perks of this move are clear as can be.

Not many fans are going to be over the moon to hear that Arsenal are linked to Solly March. The Englishman is currently in a relegation battle alongside his Brighton teammates, and with a goal and five assists at 24 years of age, it’s not exactly a blockbuster, hold the phone kind of deal.

But not every deal is going to be, that doesn’t discredit them. Actually, a move for Solly March would be an astute, under-the-radar play at depth at a position that needs all the help it can get.

In the past five years, Solly March has seen his involvement with the Gulls gradually increase. His minutes have improved and, in response, so too has his production. He’s been on a steady upward trajectory and this year has been his best of all, with a couple months still left in the season.

This year, March has had his best goal production ever, notching six goal contributions, with time to get much more. He’s creating more chances than he ever has before and he’s got the same reliable ball control as he’s been boasting throughout his career.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

He’s always been hard into defensive work too, winning back the ball and not shirking off his duties to track back.

If you buy into trajectories, as you should, then it is more than likely that his ability to create goals will only improve from where it is, especially when surrounded by players of a higher caliber, like Arsenal boast over the Gulls.

And then there is March’s versatility, which has seen him play any midfield role necessary, with a focus on wide roles, whether those be advanced roles, or midfield roles.

For a club that doesn’t have a lot of options out wide, you could do a lot worse than March. And seeing as how Denis Suarez is still in a sort of limbo that can’t quite decide where he’s supposed to fit into the club, going after a relative cheap March would provide a proven rotational option with, again, that upward trajectory that, even at 24, is still looking promising.

The market value on March is virtually nonexistent, as his value is hovering in the £5m. I’d pay that any day of the week. You’re getting a solid rotational option who has the work rate that makes Unai Emery swoon. Do it.