Should Arsenal make a move for Federico Chiesa?

Federico Chiesa looks likely to leave Juventus in the final days of the transfer window having been excluded from Thiago Motta's plans ahead of the new season.

His contract is set to expire next summer so the Italian side are likely to sell for a bargain price. Reports have claimed Chiesa is available for as little as £13m.

Arsenal were initially said to be targeting an attacker this summer and have tenuously been linked with a move for Chiesa over the past few years. So, should they make a move for him in the final days of the transfer window?

Should Arsenal make a move for Federico Chiesa?

Signing cover for Bukayo Saka has been on Arsenal's transfer agenda for a long time and it looks like they could finally fulfil this with a move for Federico Chiesa. Bringing in cover for the England international should now be a priority as the risk of serious injury to Saka looks to be growing greater considering how much is asked of him.

Chiesa is a versatile winger capable off both flanks, with his best work in 2021 primarily arriving off the right. He was also used as part of a front two in a transition-heavy Max Allegri-led Juventus. While he's not shown his majestic 2021 level after tearing his ACL (there's a reason Juve are happy to let him go), Chiesa represents an obvious upgrade on Saka's current deputies.

The Italy international has had an impressive career so far. He was part of Italy's Euro 2020 winning team and scored important goals in the round of 16 and semi-finals. Chiesa also scored 34 goals and provided 26 assists in 153 appearances for Fiorentina.

He has netted 32 times and provided 23 assists in 131 appearances for his current club Juventus, which is not a bad return considering his shaky injury record. Chiesa has struggled for fitness since joining Juve so Arsenal must take this into account if they are to make a move for him.

Regardless of injuries, Chiesa is still no doubt a very talented footballer and would fit well into this Gunners team. Due to his ability, he would not only provide cover for Saka, but also competition. Saka has been guilty of putting in slack performances at times, and it could be argued that has been down to him having a stronghold on his position due to a lack of competition. Chiesa's arrival at the club would eradicate this issue.

Chiesa was once one of Europe's hottest prospects but this hype has died down over the past few years. The explosivity of his apex has dissipated somewhat since succumbing to a long-term knee injury. However, he is still only 26 years old so still has the potential to evolve into a different profile of winger.

Arsenal should make a move for Federico Chiesa in the final days of the transfer window. His impressive statistics at both club and international level are enough to demonstrate that he would provide good quality cover and competition for Bukayo Saka. While the Gunners must be weary of his injury record, Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar would be foolish to pass on such a cheap deal for such a talented footballer.

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