Arsenal: Yannick Carrasco and Ryan Fraser essentially a wash

Arsenal are apparently going back and forth between a move for Yannick Carrasc or Ryan Frase, but honestly, what’s the difference?

Arsenal need help on their wings, seeing as how they have all of zero wingers at their disposal. However, with the rise of a ton of young wingers like Reiss Nelson, Xavier Amaechi and Bukayo Saka, the dire need has simmered into more of a “could be nice” kind of need.

Which is why we see so many players being tied to a move to the Emirates. It started with Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha, but ridiculous prices drove them out of the picture, to be replaced by more realistic options like Yannick Carrasco and Ryan Fraser.

Both would be superb additions to the club, both have a solid enough track record with a lot to prove, and both fit more in the price range that the Gunners figure to be working with. With the rumors in full swing, it’s now becoming a bit of a tug of war between Fraser and Carrasco.

Fraser is coming off a tremendous year at Bournemouth that saw him pitch in seven goals and 14 assists. You can’t possibly overlook those numbers, as they put Zaha to shame.

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But many are simply underwhelmed because he isn’t your traditional winger. It’s like the difference between a dwarf and an elf in Lord of the Rings (that’s not in reference to his height, by the way). He works hard and drives forward, but doesn’t have a lot of slick moves like Legolas with his ridiculous skateboarding down the stairs at Helms Deep.

Carrasco is more the elf. He does have the slick moves, and you have to believe he has even more to prove, having spent the last year and some change in China, where relevant footballers go to become irrelevant.

The recent rumor is that the Gunners are pushing harder for Fraser, who recently admitted to the likelihood of staying at Bournemouth, rather than Carrasco, though honestly, when you get down to it, whichever you choose, it’s pretty much a wash, despite the difference in playing styles.

When it comes to filling a void, it’s not always that important how you fill it, as long as you throw something capable in there. Both Carrasco and Fraser are capable and I think it’s a bit cruel to call either underwhelming.

Of course, now watch Arsenal not get either one of them.