According to Portuguese news outlet, O Jogo, Arsenal are preparing a swoop for Benfica forward, Andrija Živković in the summer. The Serbian attacker is capable of playing as a number nine but is best suited to the right wing. He has racked up 2 goals and 4 assists in 18 total appearances and Arsene Wenger is prepared to give him a promotion to the Premier League.
Živković embarked on his professional journey with FK Partizan and went on to make his senior team debut on 28 April 2013. After making 93 total appearances for the Serbian outfit, he was signed by Benfica in the summer of 2016 on a five-year deal. At 17, he became the youngest player to ever play for the Serbian senior national team. He was an integral part of the U20 national team and led his side to win the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup.
Živković’s promise is boundless and Wenger might be the right man to help him develop into a first-team player. The North London club are in the market for a winger after the departure of both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott. Živković is a versatile presence and draws a few similarities to Arsenal’s loaned out winger, Lucas Perez who has returned to Deportivo de La Coruna for the season.
A versatile wide man who can deliver balls from the flanks while at the same time threaten the opposition box will fill out the gaps of the Arsenal attack. The 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur somehow exposed the lack of a speedy attacker who can carry the ball forward on the counter.
Arsenal have expanded their operations through the additions of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan over the January window. However, the Gunners saw 5 players made an exit and Wenger is yet to find their replacements to complete the attacking trio.
Arsenal will be 8 points behind the top 4 if Chelsea ends up winning the fixture against West Brom tomorrow. Their ambitions of improving upon their 6th place finish might already be dead and the Europa League is turning out to be their most important battle. Wenger still has to figure a deal for Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere with both their contracts coming to an end fast.
Živković is a promising young player who in today’s market will cost a significant amount. Wenger will have to work with his current squad while still trying to sign the Serbian to a lucrative deal.
