Arsenal’s glorious realm under iconic manager Arsene Wenger witnessed an underwhelming conclusion when they failed to clinch a prestigious Champions League berth in consecutive campaigns, hence causing an outrage that led to him stepping down and thus paving the way for Unai Emery, the former Sevilla and Paris St-Germain boss, with the hope of a new dawn at Emirates.
Despite the vibes of the ongoing football carnival in Russia, the Gunners are not at all sitting idle and are rather having a busy summer with multiple new signings already. They have wrapped up the signings of right-back Stephen Lichtsteiner, centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, custodian Bernd Leno and midfielder Lucas Torreira in order to reconfigure the lineup and increase the depth to fight back for a ‘top four’ return.
Also, they are concentrating on developing the youth set-up and recently announced a deal for France U20 international midfield starlet Matteo Guendouzi from French outfit Lorient – a highly-rated teenage prospect for their future.
The Gunners, meanwhile, have reportedly roped in 15-year-old Spaniard Joel Lopez, a scholar of esteemed La Masia, who has rejected a contract extension and parted ways with his boyhood side Barcelona amid speculations of plying his trade to North London in order to join Arsenal. The young left-back has announced his egress via social network and is rumoured to sign schoolboy terms before penning down his first professional contract next summer.
‘The day has come to say goodbye to what has been my home these last 7 years’.
A heartfelt farewell note has been shared by Lopez in Instagram to bid adios to his followers. He has been extensively scouted by many top teams of Europe while featuring for Barcelona’s Cadeta A outfit but the Gunners have won the race fending off Liverpool’s interest to acquire the teenager claimed by outlets both in Spain as well as England. He will now continue his development in their academy ranks but needs to settle in English circuit at the earliest to justify the hype he fostered back in his homeland.
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The youngster is lauded for his matured and persistent performances, vision, balanced attacking and defensive work rate along with strong passing, dribbling and crossing traits down the left flank. Arsenal also brought in Hector Bellerin from La Masia years back under Wenger who is now their preferred right-back option at Emirates. Joel Lopez, the Spanish wonderkid, has every possibility to earn a similar status or even usher in a greater impact in coming years.
