Arsenal: Plenty of Yannick Carrasco red flags to overlook

Yannick Carrasco has once more been talking about a move back to Europe. Should Arsenal pursue him, there are plenty of red flags to overlook. Is his talent worth it?

It was fairly clear last summer that Arsenal would lack wide attackers this season. As the year has played out, that premonition has been undoubtedly proven true.

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Not only has the lack of production from the wide positions harmed the offensive potency of the team, but the absence of balance throughout the pitch has seen opponents key in on wide spaces to counter with great speed, precision and effectiveness. The lack of wingers has hurt the team throughout the year.

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It has led many to name the winger position this summer as the number one priority. And one option that Arsenal could pursue has made himself rather available for a transfer. Speaking this week during the international break as he plays with Belgium, Yannick Carrasco discussed how close he came to a European move in the January window:

"“I would love to return to Europe. A lot of clubs were interested in me. We tried to find a solution in January that would enable me to leave Dalian Yifang. But I can understand the club’s thinking. They wanted me to stay. I still feel OK in China. But I have lost my starting place in the Belgian national side. This can happen with a team of their quality. With the level of competition there will always be times when you don’t get to play a lot.”"

Arsenal were interested in Carrasco in January. In the end, financial restrictions meant the move never really got off the ground. But in the summer, that transfer could be resurrected, especially if the Gunners qualify for the Champions League and are allowed to spend the budget windfall they will receive as a result.

However, should a move be made, Unai Emery and Raul Sanllehi will have to overlook the many red flags that come with the winger. There is the obvious issue of fee and wages. Carrasco would not come cheap. And he is not of the age profile, 25, or talent calibre to break the budget for.

But more worryingly, he chose to move to China a year ago. Just as he is entering the prime of his career, beginning to establish himself as an emerging star at Atletico Madrid, he chose the money over the game. Combine that with reports regarding attitude problems and rumoured disruption in the dressing room, and there are clearly character issues that must be addressed.

In the end, the question that faces Arsenal and any potential Carrasco move is this: Is the talent worth the red flags? I do not know the answer, but I certainly have my doubts.