According to reports, Arsenal are eyeing to get in yet another attacker this summer with Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura a possible option. The Brazilian international has found his place under danger following the blockbuster arrival of Neymar from Barcelona and Arsenal might look to exploit this opportunity.
However, as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed post their FA Community Shield win over London rivals Chelsea, the club would first deal with a large number of redundant options in the squad before going for new additions.
He said, “To be honest, the number is too high. We will let some players go. Too much competition for places is detrimental, but not enough competition for places is detrimental as well.”
Arsenal are expected to leave the likes of Lucas Perez and Joel Campbell this summer from their attacking lineup and still have Danny Welbeck, Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott up front. His lone striker’s option last season has now pretty much changed to a three man forward as was seen against Chelsea’s last Sunday.
However, Arsenal are well acquainted with this feeling of being over-brimming in the summer and then deal with a bone-dry attacking strength in the closing stages as injuries creep in with every passing week. With his contract and more importantly legacy at stake, Wenger wouldn’t want to take any chances this time and is okay with the fierce competition that the arrival of Moura could ensue.
The 24-year-old Brazilian international is a winger with dangerous abilities from wide areas. In Arsenal’s setup, the position of Alex Iwobi would suit him quite well as his pace on the ball and tremendous dribbling abilities could make him a fan favourite overnight.
PSG had bought him from Brazilian side Sau Paolo back in 2013 and despite the tremendous competition that the Ligue1 giants possess, Moura has managed to maintain his position. Barring the first season, he has mostly been a regular player for them playing 223 games over the past five seasons, scoring 45 goals and assisting 47 times.
Naturally a winger, Moura can play with equal ease as an attacking midfielder as well as a right midfielder. The right-footed Brazilian can take some of the most astonishing free-kicks if within shooting range and excels in holding on to the ball, an attribute that would be tremendously helpful in the Premier League.
At only 24, he isn’t going to come cheap for sure. But with Julian Draxler, Angel Di Maria, Neymar, Javier Pastore and others to compete in the French capital, he just might take a pay cut for regular chances ahead of the World Cup season.
