Arsenal must finally sell £110k-p/w flop who was their “obvious captain”

Whereas issues are trying slightly bleak for the time being, Arsenal are nonetheless ready that appeared nearly not possible just some years in the past.

Mikel Arteta’s aspect have gone from languishing in eighth place for back-to-back campaigns to preventing for the Premier League title for the third 12 months on the bounce.

The Spaniard has overseen a large overhaul of the aspect he inherited in December 2019, with only some gamers like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli surviving and persevering with to play vital roles within the first crew.

Nevertheless, there may be one other survivor who was part of the squad throughout Arteta’s first season, a participant who joined the membership that summer time and was tipped to be a future captain, however now needs to be offered for his personal sake.

Arsenal’s 2019 summer time signings

So, earlier than we get to the participant in query, let’s look at a few different signings made that summer time, beginning with a participant who’s sadly thought-about one of many membership’s worst additions of all time, Nicolas Pepe.

Below the administration of Emery, Arsenal determined to smash their switch file in July 2019 and spend a whopping £72m on the Ivorian worldwide, who, of their defence, had simply scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists in 41 appearances for LOSC Lille.

Sadly, as most followers will attest, the proficient winger didn’t present that kind of type in North London, and whereas he left the membership for good final September as a flop, his last tally of 27 goals and 21 assists in 112 appearances is not fairly as dangerous as some would have you ever imagine.

In stark distinction, the North Londoners also paid a hefty £27m for a comparatively unknown 18-year-old centre-back from Ligue 1 that summer time, a younger defender who has since established himself as top-of-the-line on the planet, William Saliba.

Sure, whereas he would spend the subsequent three seasons on mortgage in his residence nation, the Gunners secured the providers of their quantity two in 2019, and following his aggressive debut for the aspect in opposition to Crystal Palace in August 2022, he is racked up 98 appearances for the team, signed an extension in 2023 and is rumoured to be getting another one soon.

Nevertheless, the Bondy-born titan wasn’t the one defender signed by the membership that summer time, however sadly, the participant in query has adopted a path nearer to Pepe’s than his in N5, regardless of being touted as a future captain at one level.

The Arsenal captain that might’ve been

Arsenal have had a protracted listing of unimaginable captains over time, like Tony Adams prior to now, the technically sensible, if slightly controversial, Cesc Fàbregas within the early 2010s, the sharpshooting and, truly, simply as controversial, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang throughout Arteta’s earlier tenure, proper as much as the midfield maestro, that’s Martin Odegaard right this moment.

Nevertheless, in the summertime of 2019, the membership signed somebody who maybe might have been on that listing in one other world, Kieran Tierney.

The Scottish left-back joined the North Londoners from Glaswegian giants Celtic that August for around £25m.

First Impressions

What did pundits and followers alike take into consideration their new star signing after they arrived? Soccer FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ sequence has every part you want.

Whereas he hadn’t performed exterior the Scottish Premiership at that time, there was a whole lot of pleasure about what he might develop into.

That was largely due to his sensational play for the Hoops and the notion individuals had of him as a hard-working, no-nonsense defender, somebody who was a throwback to a bygone period.

The then-22-year-old endured a combined begin to his life within the capital, although, as regardless of trying good on the pitch, he might solely make 24 first-team appearances, as accidents saved him sidelined for giant elements of the marketing campaign.

The next 12 months was significantly better on this regard, as whereas he nonetheless suffered a couple of setbacks, the Douglas-born dynamo made 38 appearances for the primary crew, by which he scored two objectives, offered 4 assists and was called a “natural leader” by the supervisor.

The great instances would not final, nevertheless, and though the next season noticed former skilled Ally McCoist describe him as the “apparent captain” following Aubameyang’s exit, the proficient full-back was as soon as once more tormented by accidents, and he made just 25 appearances.

These health issues will need to have been the ultimate straw for the supervisor, as that summer time, he welcomed in Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City for £32m, and though the Scotsman managed to keep away from harm all through the marketing campaign, he was restricted to only 15 starts and 21 substitute appearances.

With the writing clearly on the wall, the previous Celtic star joined Actual Sociedad on a season-long loan last year, however as you will have guessed by now, accidents as soon as once more reared their ugly head and the 27-year-old was limited to just 26 appearances.

Right this moment, the £110k-per-week full-back remains to be in North London however hasn’t made a single look all season due to yet one more hamstring downside.

Subsequently, though he was as soon as tipped to be the membership’s future captain, Arsenal should do what they’ll to promote Tierney earlier than his contract expires in 2026, for their very own sake and his.

Associated

Arsenal planning offer to sign £83m star who could rival Saka & Martinelli

The “sensational” worldwide would make Arsenal a lot extra harmful.