According to a recent report by Sky Sports, Arsenal are keeping a keen eye on Valencia midfield ace Carlos Soler ahead of a potential move in the summer. It is understood that the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the Spanish talent and could make a move for him if the summer transfer window goes ahead as planned despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Soler’s Lacklustre Season In The Spanish First Division
The 23-year-old has endured a difficult season at the Mestalla Stadium and is in dire need to improve his productivity if he wants to become a better player in the future. He has featured in 27 matches for Albert Celades’ side this term, scoring three goals across all competitions in the process. If Soler can improve his decision-making in the final third, then he is bound to find more joy in terms of goal-scoring.
The Spaniard has often been deployed on the right-wing this season, but he is versatile enough to operate in a more central role as a box to box midfielder or play in the number ten position as well if required. He has averaged 0.7 shots, 0.6 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game in La Liga which goes to highlight his struggles as a wide player this season (stats via whoscored).
The Valencia academy product has also represented Spain at the Under-21 level, having scored four goals in 20 appearances for them so far. However, Soler needs to improve as a player if he wants to earn a senior cap for his nation someday.
What Will The Spanish Playmaker Add To Arteta’s Team?
Soler can put his pace to good use when trying to take on his marker down the right flank. He excels at dribbling with the ball and can get to the by-line to deliver some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty box. The Spanish U-21 international is also quite accurate with his ball-distribution and can be a decent shooter from long range. However, he needs to be more ruthless in the final third, so maybe Arsenal might not be the best fit for him at the moment.
The Gunners are looking to recruit proven players this summer, but Soler is far from a finished product. Arteta will need to be patient with him if he wants to nurture him into a top talent someday. However, if the Arsenal boss is hoping to build a team for the long-run, then the Valencia winger could be a decent option for him in the off-season.
The likes of Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are the only natural wide players at Arteta’s disposal. So the gaffer should prioritise on strengthening his wing options in the coming months. Thus, Soler’s addition will not only add more depth to the Gunners squad but also allow them to take a more flexible approach as far as their formation and tactics are concerned in the upcoming campaign.
