Arsenal: Top 5 pros and cons to Axel Disasi

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PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 25: Axel Disasi #6 of Stade de Reims celebrates the victory of the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Reims at Parc des Princes on September 25, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images) /

Arsenal are being linked with a move for Reims centre-back Axel Disasi. Here are five pros and cons of the Frenchman’s playing style.

Per Charles Watts of Goal, Arsenal are extremely interested in 22-year-old French central defender, Axel Disasi who currently plays for Reims. Watts state that the Gunners have scouted the centre-back extensively throughout the season are likely to firm up their interest in the upcoming transfer window at the end of the current campaign, whenever that may be. But who is Disasi and what can he offer the Gunners should he arrive in north London next season?

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Here are five tactical pros and cons detailing his playing style and what can be expected of the young defender.

REIMS, FRANCE – AUGUST 18: Axel Disasi of Reims during the French Ligue 1 match between Stade de Reims and RC Strasbourg at Stade Auguste Delaune on August 18, 2019 in Reims, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

Pro: He is an able passer

Disasi played in defensive midfield as a young player before eventually settling into his centre-back position. He also has senior experience at right and left-back. While every appearance this season came at centre-half and his future is in central defence, his comfort in wide or more advanced positions helps illustrate the comfort he has in possession in comparison to many other centre-backs.

Disasi is no David Luiz, it should be said, but he is a more than able passer. his season, he attempted 53.4 passes per 90 minutes, completing 85.8% of those. More pertinently, long-ranging, raking switches of play are exceptional impactful. He completed 79.3% of passes more than 25 yards.

On the year, he played 3.56 progressive passes per 90, which is a stable if not spectacular number, as well as 2.96 passes into the final third and 0.37 passes into the penalty area per 90, which are both very productive numbers for a centre-half. Disasi is no Andre Pirlo, but he is effective in possession and more than comfortable in playing more testing long passes, which Mikel Arteta will demand of his centre-backs.

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