Arsenal: 3 roles Emi Buendia could play if signed

3. Emi Buendia as a Right-Sided No. 8

This is one of the prospects coughed up when Odegaard signed and worth mentioning in the case of Buendia’s potential arrival.

It’s an area of uncertainty, still, as to whether Arteta is planning to merge into the 4-3-3 formation he has stated previously is his long-term preference. On the occasion it’s come to fruition this season it hasn’t worked out, with the manager claiming he is ‘five or six’ players short of making that switch.

Should he choose to, then a midfield trio of [insert new player]/Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Buendia could be mooted.

Sticking Buendia and Smith Rowe either side of Partey is on first glance hugely unbalanced. Both the No. 8’s in this scenario have excellent work ethic, yet with attacking tendencies it leaves Partey with acres to cover. The Ghanaian flourished as the single pivot against weaker opposition but looked horribly exposed against others.

Buendia does have the scope to play as a No. 8. He’s operated as the No. 10 and as the right-winger, positions which encompass some elements of the role, but for £40m Arsenal should not be signing a player of one position to then try and mould him into another. If the plan is for a No. 8, then the club should buy a No. 8. Fairly straightforward.

With the Argentine, however, he loves collecting possession from deep and driving with the ball, attributes that would come to the fore if operating in the right half-space. He can pick a pass, whip a cross, take a shot or beat his man. It’d work, but it’s a huge outlay to spend on a positional change.