Pain in the Arsenal
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3 reasons why Arsenal should avoid signing Lucas Paqueta

By Adam Schultz

LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 27: Lucas Paquetá of Lyon runs in the field during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC at Groupama Stadium on February 27, 2022 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 27: Lucas Paquetá of Lyon runs in the field during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC at Groupama Stadium on February 27, 2022 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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LYON, FRANCE – MAY 14: Lucas Paquetá of Lyon (R) plays against Fabio da Silva of Nantes (L) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Nantes at Groupama Stadium on May 14, 2022 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE – MAY 14: Lucas Paquetá of Lyon (R) plays against Fabio da Silva of Nantes (L) during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and FC Nantes at Groupama Stadium on May 14, 2022 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

His position

Probably the biggest reason to avoid Lucas Paqueta. While adding him would certainly strengthen the attacking side of the Arsenal midfield, it is going the other way where investment needs to happen.

Paqueta can be deployed in every midfield position needed on a football pitch, except the one the Gunners really need. He CAN play as a deeper-lying, box-to-box midfielder, but he is more dangerous playing as either a number 10, a false nine, or out wide.

https://twitter.com/EuroExpert_/status/1546083677121175552?s=20&t=eYzkV6tz1bzOaBsgc1ugMQ

The Gunners have all of those areas already covered following the signing of Fabio Vieira earlier this summer. Adding the 24-year-old would only further give Arsenal something that they already have in spades: attacking, creative midfielders.

While it has been said that Paqueta can play a deeper role, he’s much better performing a more advanced function. Arsenal needs someone to provide cover for the back four. A perfect player to partner with Thomas Partey and to further strengthen what is considered by many the weakest part of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

That’s not to say that Paqueta could not play that deeper role for the club, but given there is already so much forward-thinking talent, it might be best to give him a miss.

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