Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian is expected to make an exit in the summer transfer window and Arsenal have been touted as an interested party. The fullback has barely seen the pitch over the course of the season with just 847 minutes registered and is no longer considered for international duty either.
Jose Mourinho has gone as far as to completely ignore the 28-year-old’s case for selection despite not having a first choice left-back. Ashley Young has been implemented in the role as a makeshift option with Luke Shaw featuring sporadically. Darmian’s has been an inconsequential presence in the United lineup ever since the Portuguese took charge and a transfer seems to be the ideal move for all parties involved.
Darmian will be entering the last year of his contract following the 2017/18 season and teams can capitalize on the situation by acquiring for a cheap deal. His work resume is impressive with 36 Italy national team caps and 150 appearances for Serie A side, Torino.
Darmian is well suited to the right-back position mostly attributing to his dominant right leg but can appear on the other side as well. His greatest weakness is his turn of space which has been exploited by Premier League wingers in the past – Alexis Sanchez while at Arsenal.
However, players can always be effective against quality players if their footballing intelligence is exercised. Players like Arbeloa, Dani Alves and Philipp Lahm are not necessarily the quickest players to have played in the position but have managed to play for the best teams in Europe throughout their career.
Arsenal are looking for defensive additions now that Mathieu Debuchy has quit the club and Per Mertesacker has announced his retirement after the season. The time away from the pitch might have caused some rust to settle into the boots of Darmian but it can be dusted off by a new club next season.
Hector Bellerin has been linked with plenty of sides as well and Arsene Wenger will have to improve the side ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. Finishing in the 6th spot for the second time in a row is not ideal for a club of Arsenal’s stature and neither is spending another season away from the Champions League.
Their defence has been the root cause of their problems and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Darmian will always come in handy as a rotational option when the club competes for multiple trophies within a season.
