Arsenal make Sergino Dest transfer approach at Barcelona

Emerson Royal Offers Mikel Arteta a Different Profile

Having signed Nuno Tavares and already having Kieran Tierney could imply a different approach. Both attack-minded, there may be some balance sought on the opposite flank in which case Emerson Royal, who was heavily linked with Arsenal earlier in the window, may also be an option.

Barcelona want to sell one of their right-backs and due to Dest’s potential would be the preferred choice, thus the 22-year-old Emerson may be revisited (if he was indeed visited at all).

Emerson was an intriguing case earlier this summer having been on the books at Real Betis and also partly owned by Barça. The Spanish side took up the option to bring him to Camp Nou for £7.8m, potentially with a view to selling him on for a larger fee. They do need money, after all, and haven’t even been able to register him yet due to the excessive wages on their budget.

Emerson’s attacking output is distinctly weaker than Dest’s but his defensive numbers are exceptional: 93rd percentile for tackles and interceptions per 90 and 85th percentile for aerials won among the highlights.

More of the Chambers mould, his ability to drift infield and hold a midfield slot with ease offers a different profile entirely to Dest, but one Arteta could decide to favour. Ben White’s arrival may negate that need but it was clear last season with Bellerin that he was being bestowed with a different role to usual.

Primarily an overlapping player he drifted into half-spaces either side of the halfway line, a role Chambers fulfilled too when Thomas Partey was positioned as the sole holding midfielder. Emerson has the comfort of doing that.

It comes down to what the manager wants, of course. Before the window opened it was widely reported that an attacking option was on the menu, but additions elsewhere could alter that. In any case, there are two in Catalonia that suit whatever it is Arteta wants.

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