Alberto Moreno has often been considered as a defensive liability, and it is no surprise that Liverpool are willing to let the left-back run out his contract (important to note that Moreno is in the final year of his contract). However, this situation has alerted other clubs who are seeing value in this out of favour fullback. Latest reports suggest that Unai Emery is looking to reunite with Moreno at Arsenal. The Spanish fullback has played under him during his Sevilla days and maybe playing under his former manager, can bring the best out of this once highly touted fullback.
We believe one of the primary reasons why Arsenal are interested in him is that the Spaniard is going to be available on a free transfer next summer, and so, it’s going to be a no-risk move for the Gunners. Moreno is still just 26 and has the experience of playing in two European cup finals. Last season, he was on the bench for the Champions League final so as a free transfer, clubs like Barcelona are also finding him a lucrative player to sign.
The Gunners currently have Nacho Monreal as their regular left back, and in a few months he is going to turn 33, so one can understand why the club could be after a left back. Saed Kolsinac seems to be currently out of favour as Emery had used young Ainsley Maitland-Niles to provide backup in the left back role.
Defensively, the Spanish fullback has often been found wanting, and he is guilty of going into rash challenges now and then. However, while moving forward, he is quite decent, and he can whip in some delicious crosses. The former Sevilla fullback can gallop around the left side with good pace, and on his day, he can put in a top performance.
However, he has been way too inconsistent at Liverpool. So much so that Jurgen Klopp deployed James Milner as a left back for one full season even though a more natural left back like Moreno was available. Ever since the signing and rise of Andy Robertson, Moreno’s game time has been very limited and it is clear that the German manager isn’t too big a fan of him.
It’s surprising to see clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid being interested in him, but those clubs are going to use him as a backup option likely. Plus the way those two Spanish giants dominate their games mean they aren’t tested defensively much, so someone like Moreno can get away as his achilles heel happens to be the defensive aspect of his game.
If Arsenal are looking at the 26-year-old left back as a regular first-team option for the future, then we believe they are making a mistake. As a backup for a free transfer, he makes a case for himself and maybe playing under Emery once again can bring the best out of him.
