3 reasons why Arsenal should avoid Joao Cancelo

3. Defending

Much has been made of Zinchenko’s defensive lapses since joining the club, and Cancelo brings the same problem.

Like Zinchenko, he has phenomenal technical ability and is a better creator, whereas Zinchenko is a better controller. However, this would give Arsenal two very similar options, with one earning significantly more than the other.

If Arsenal are to improve on that position, they need a player who can defend and play, which is what Arteta first looked for last summer when he approached Lisandro Martinez.

Finding a player like that would give Arsenal more security and more options to adapt against dangerous teams, and ultimately give Arteta more tactical flexibility without abandoning the team’s principles like he is currently required to do with Kieran Tierney.

All in all, Cancelo is not the right man for this project, with his questionable attitude, defensive lapses and the costs associated making it a risk the Gunners don’t need to take.