Why the links to Jesper Lindstrøm should excite Arsenal fans

Arsenal could yet end the 2022/23 season as Premier League champions, but there’s an overriding sense that Mikel Arteta is just getting started in north London. 

His project took time to get off the ground, granted, but year three has been nothing short of an explosion. A prosperous summer transfer window sparked optimism in Gooner quarters heading into the new season, but very few believed Arsenal had the squad capable of competing with Man City for the English crown. Top-four was regarded as the achievable objective.

But the stars have aligned for the Gunners. So much so that they’re eight points clear at the top of the table with ten games remaining. Holding off the Citizens will be no easy task, but you’d be foolish to write off Arteta’s side at this stage.

What’s most exciting about this young and hungry Arsenal side is that they can yet reach another level. This squad is far from complete – better than it was to begin the season, sure. But complete? No chance.

Another important summer window is heading the club’s way, no matter how 2022/23 pans out. Their rivals will come back at them next season and beyond, and Arsenal must put themselves in the best position possible to maintain their current majesty.

Why the links to Jesper Lindstrøm should excite Arsenal fans

“How do the Gunners get better?” I hear you ask. Well, from a personnel perspective, the club should have two defenders, two midfielders, and a winger on their summer shopping list. Not every addition will be signed to be an immediate starter, and one of those possibilities is Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jesper Lindstrøm.

According to SPORT1’s Patrick Berger, Arsenal are one of several English clubs “pushing” to sign the €30m-rated Danish international this summer.

The links are pretty tenuous at this stage, but it’s a move that would make sense for the club. By signing Lindstrøm, they may well end up killing two birds with one stone.

Some might view the Dane as a potential cover option for Bukayo Saka down the right. Lindstrøm’s a versatile customer who has typically operated on the right of Oliver Glasner’s front three. However, while Arteta wants Saka to hug the touchline and isolate his full-back one-vs-one, Glasner hands Lindstrøm greater positional freedom. Thus, the 23-year-old loves to drift infield and operate between the lines. He usually functions from the right half-space as the wing-back provides the width.

Lindstrøm isn’t a traditional touchline winger. Compared to attacking midfielders and wingers from Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the Dane sits in the 73rd percentile for attempted take-ons (4.15 per 90 minutes) and 56th percentile for successful take-ons (1.51 per 90). Lindstrøm’s dribbling figures on the whole underwhelm, but he does play in a Frankfurt side that doesn’t seek to dominate the ball. Their possession share of 49.5% ranks ninth in the Bundesliga this season.

For me, the 23-year-old bears a greater resemblance to Martin Ødegaard than Saka stylistically. Thus, I think he could be a delightful midfield option for Arteta should Arsenal pursue the Dane this summer.

Despite his excellent season, there’s an upgrade to be made on Granit Xhaka opposite Ødegaard. Perhaps Lindstrøm could be the more dynamic and athletic option Arteta craves. Given his recent positional tendencies, there may be a few initial teething problems operating from the left to begin with. But it’s unlikely that this would be a long-term issue.

His skill set when his side has possession renders him an excellent fit for the midfield role. Lindstrøm is so intelligent with his movement and positioning to outwit markers, he combines well over short distances, and he times his runs both in behind and between the lines superbly.

However, he’s not the most clinical and he is prone to lapses of concentration in the defensive phase. Arteta, though, will be quick to iron those out. There’s certainly no ‘attitude problem’ to be concerned about.

Overall, I wouldn’t go as far as saying Lindstrøm is ready-made to usurp Xhaka in Arsenal’s midfield, but his ceiling is higher than the Swiss international’s in the left-sided #8 function. The 23-year-old’s stock will skyrocket if Arteta gets through to him.

Moreover, the player’s versatility means he can provide cover in multiple positions. As Fabio Vieira has at times this term, Lindstrøm could play out wide. But his long-term future would reside as an #8 if he was to join the club this summer.