Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal transfer stance on Nabil Fekir revealed after reported bid

By Ross Kennerley

EIBAR, SPAIN - MAY 13: Nabil Fekir of Real Betis Balompie reacts during the La Liga Santander match between SD Eibar and Real Betis at Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on May 13, 2021 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
EIBAR, SPAIN - MAY 13: Nabil Fekir of Real Betis Balompie reacts during the La Liga Santander match between SD Eibar and Real Betis at Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on May 13, 2021 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 2
Next
Arsenal, Nabil Fekir
SEVILLE, SPAIN – MARCH 14: Nabil Fekir of Real Betis looks on during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Betis at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on March 14, 2021 in Seville, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Should Move Away From Nabil Fekir

Given Arsenal’s stance not shifting since their previous interest, it’s clear that Fekir is not high up on their wishlist. As with a whole host of players across the world, he’s being watched but it seems no more than that.

As a profile, he suits. Excellent close-control dribbling is a valuable attacking tool as he averages 4.91 SCA per 90 – the dribbling actions of those sitting him in the 97th percentile. Diminutive and technical, his aesthetically pleasing style is backed up statistically with a 94% dribbling completion and 91st percentile for passes under pressure.

Someone who can fulfill a few positions – No. 10 or playing wide right – is also of huge benefit to Arsenal as the squad size is trimmed to match no European football, which Fekir would fulfill.

However, Fekir is not the kind of signing Arsenal should be making if they want to reinforce that area of the pitch.

A talented playmaker he is, but everything else around the deal wouldn’t constitute smart planning. Simply from an age standpoint, he will be 28 by the time next season begins and if the club are going to sign someone at that age then they must be elite. Equally, they need to be a player that you are fully committed towards, which Arsenal aren’t.

Next. Arsenal open contract talks. dark

The club also can’t be looking at players they should have signed three or four years ago. The Fekir case has moved on, so should Arsenal. For the money it will take to lure him away from La Liga Arsenal can secure talent of a similar quality with far greater room for development.

Home/Arsenal News