4 positives & negatives of Arsenal transfer target Youri Tielemans

Negative #1 – Question marks defensively

If Tielemans is to be the third player in Arsenal’s midfield, he will have to step up the defensive side of his game.

With Thomas Partey at his best when Granit Xhaka is shielding the back four, Tielemans would likely have to do a similar job. That is not his strong suit, and that can be a cause for concern.

Too often this campaign, we have seen Arsenal get played through far too easily, and with Tielemans, he is not the best defender. So, despite all his superb attributes, the Belgian would have to seriously improve defensively.

The 25-year-old also is not the best in transition either, often getting caught out. Xhaka and Elneny, going the other way on the break for all the good they do, simply get sliced through too easily. This is precisely what Arteta and his staff want to stop.

Arteta would have two Thomas Partey’s in the side for his defensive abilities and his unreal passing range in an ideal world. If Tielemans does seal his move to the Emirates, getting better defensively is job number one.

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