Arsenal: Why Hakan Calhanoglu transfer should be avoided

Arsenal Should Not Sign Hakan Calhanoglu

Going over what he does bring, what doesn’t he bring? At 27 years old he doesn’t bring any Premier League experience, with all he’s achieved thus far having come in Serie A. He’s made a strong name for himself and accumulated some very impressive numbers during that time. Calhanoglu is a talented footballer.

He’s also a different kind of creator and three assists from open play last season isn’t exactly mesmerising. Superb dead ball numbers add to the allure but this team should not be out signing players just because they can kick a ball when it’s not moving.

That isn’t the only string to his bow, but for a team that wants to sustain spells of pressure in the final third with as much ball retention, someone who isn’t a high presser or a strong tackler isn’t going to maximise that possession.

But beyond the statistical side of things, it’s the pure laziness of it all that doesn’t sit well. Buendia and Odegaard, two players costing around £40m may not arrive so, working down the list comes a 27-year-old contract rebel who is free. It’s indolent, uninspiring poor planning.

Calhanoglu will arrive on huge wages due to his contract situation and isn’t in any way certain of being a starter in the team (he shouldn’t) with Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe in the three behind the striker. If you’re chasing a game late on you don’t use up one of your substitutions on the hope you win a free-kick.

Of course, where Arsenal are now doesn’t mean the club can be turning their noses up at every available player who isn’t ‘inspiring’. The club is in turmoil, its reputation dwindling and its pulling power weakening. However, free agent Calhanoglu who is leaving Milan because the €4m per year they’ve offered isn’t satisfactory is hardly the kind of character you want in your side.

Seeing the ship sink, it stinks of snatching at the first life jacket with a hole in it as opposed to keeping a look for a raft. Calhanoglu is a talented footballer but he won’t improve this team drastically. He’ll earn big money and leave for free in three years.

At present he’s an ‘option’, so hopefully he’s just one that features at the bottom of the second page.