Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has been linked with a move to the Emirates. The younger brother of Bayern Munich star Thiago, Rafinha came through the youth ranks of Barcelona after graduating from the La Masia Academy.
The versatile player can play in multiple positions. He can fill in as a full back, a centre midfielder, a wing back, an attacking midfielder and an attacking winger. Throughout his Barcelona career he has had to play a bit part role and has failed to cement a starting spot in the team.
After making his debut for the club back in 2011, coming on for Cesc Fabregas in a Copa Del Rey match, Rafinha had to wait for three more years to make his league debut. The 24-year old was loaned out to fellow La Liga side Celta de Vigo in the middle and came back in 2014 when he finally made his Barcelona league debut.
The midfielder played for both Spain and Brazil at the youth level and was eligible to represent both countries at the senior level. He finally chose to represent Brazil in the senior level and made his international debut in 2015 for the South Americans.
The career of Rafinha promised much when he first broke into the scene back in 2011 as an 18 year old but since he has since failed to capitalize and make a mark. The player being deployed in multiple positions also affected his growth as he could never become a specialist in one particular position. He is seen by Barcelona as a squad player with the ability to fill in for multiple positions.
While for the club, it is an ideal situation to have a player like Rafinha in the squad, the case for the player becomes dire. It becomes way more difficult for him to cement a fixed position let alone a starting spot in the team. Rafinha becomes the ideal jack of all trades player in the club.
Reports are linking Rafinha with a move to Arsenal now. The Brazilian who is currently sidelined as he recovers from a knee injury has previously expressed his interest to play in the English league.
His move would certainly be interesting to see as Wenger would no doubt want to use the Brazilian as a multi-faceted player. With Wenger’s midfield currently locked and loaded, unless there is an exit, Rafinha is unlikely to get a spot there. However, with Oxlade-Chamberlain having left and Sanchez and Ozil rumoured to leave, Arsenal will fall short of attacking options and having Rafinha then would be a valuable addition to the club.
