Arsenal: Oh look, they’re trying to discredit Dennis Praet already

Arsenal are closing in on Dennis Praet, which is like a challenge for the media to completely discredit him, and they’re ahead of schedule.

You know how this works. Arsenal are linked to a player and, after the excitement, the diggers go out there and try to churn up any dirt they can on that player, any chance they can to discredit him and his abilities. It’s just the way things work.

Before Dennis Praet even completes his move, they are already out, having unearthed a quote from Arsene Wenger from years ago, when he said that Praet was judged (not by Wenger) to be “too physically weak as a 15 or 16 year old.

It’s nearly a decade later, and apparently this is still relevant.

It’s not though. This was adjudged when Praet was on trial with Arsenal, and he made the decision himself to continue his schooling in Belgium rather than make the move to England.

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Whether he was physically weak teenager or not has absolutely zero relevance to the current situation that he finds himself in, being 25-years-old, an established name in Serie A, and potentially on the move to England.

Sure, players have a better track record in the Prem if they are physically strong but, fun fact, Praet is much stronger now than he was ten years ago. And even if, by some bizarre anatomical anomaly, he wasn’t, it’s not like everyone in England could serve as John Cena’s stunt double.

I understand the apprehension of signing physically weak players – all Arsenal fans do. Wenger had a bad habit of collecting smaller players to fill out his club, even in traditionally tougher positions like defensive midfield, but rest assured Praet’s size and strength won’t be a problem and, chances are, he will bulk up regardless. Granit Xhaka did. Hell, even Mesut Ozil did.

It’s not like Lucas Torreira or N’Golo Kante are physically strong, yet they are ball swarmers, which isn’t even primarily what Praet will be asked to do.

Wenger went on to say that, “Since that time, he has developed well.” Funny, why that isn’t the headline, and “Physically weak” is. But you know how it goes, anything to get clicks.

Praet would be an excellent addition, if solely because he has a great rapport with Lucas Torreira. He’s nearing his prime years and has tremendous on-the-pitch intelligence. In the battle to win the midfield war, he will be an excellent lieutenant