Arsenal: Hakim Ziyech is still way too good to be true

Arsenal supposedly have another chance to land Hakim Ziyech, but I’m guarding myself this time. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Last summer, there was no one I wanted to come to Arsenal more than Hakim Ziyech. And everything—literally everything—pointed to it happening. Even former Gooner and Ajax Director of Football Marc Overmars endorsed the move and seemed confused why the Gunners weren’t moving for him.

His release clause was reportedly just £25m. Which was soon disproven and the real price was established. £35m.

Add to that the fact that Ziyech was very outspoken about how much he wanted to play for Arsenal, and about how Mesut Ozil was his idol, and as he seemed the perfect heir to Ozil, everything—literally everything—made sense. So much so that I did that stupid thing that fans should never do and I got my hopes up over a transfer rumor.

But it was more than a rumor. There was so much supporting evidence that this move really could and absolutely should happen.

Obviously it didn’t.

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

And now it’s back!

This January, just like last summer, Ziyech has supposedly been given clearance to leave the club. No big deal that he has eight goals and sixteen assists across the Eridivisie and Champions League. Only his teammate Dusan Tadic has more assists than that in the Dutch top flight. It also happens to be as many assists as Kevin De Bruyne.

He’s only 26-years-old, too. Just in case you needed a little added reason to love this match.

He plays anywhere in the attack. Incinerate these Thomas Lemar rumors and go after Ziyech, who has never had an off year. He’s a goal producing machine that is desperate for a bigger stage and seeing as how Ozil is destined to leave before too much longer, an understudy would do well by everyone.

See, there I go, getting my hopes up again.

It didn’t make any sense why we didn’t sign him in the summer. And for that matter, why no one signed him. He deserves to play on a bigger stage. And that’s what got me to settle on the unfortunate conclusion that it really is too good to be true. There’s more to this potential match than it seems, otherwise it would be done already.

Of course, I never mind being proven wrong. So… go ahead Arsenal, do it.