According to Mirror, Arsenal are plotting a summer move for Odsonne Edouard. The Celtic striker has been identified as a target for Mikel Arteta, who is keen on adding reinforcements in the attacking department. However, the Gunners could face stiff competition from Everton and Leicester City in the pursuit of Edouard, who is valued around £30 million.
Odsonne Edouard’s success at Celtic
A former member of the Paris Saint-Germain youth academy, Edouard moved to Celtic in the summer of 2018, for a fee of €10 million. He was brought in as a replacement for Moussa Dembele, who joined Olympique Lyon. And Eduoard quickly settled into Scottish football.
Indeed, the 22-year-old has already netted a whopping 60 goals in just 128 competitive fixtures for Celtic. Twenty-one of those goals have come in the Scottish Premiership this season, helping the Hoops remain on top of arch-rivals Rangers in the league table.
The season, however, came to a halt due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Also, there has been a lot of talk on whether or not Celtic should be awarded the title. They are currently leading Rangers by 13 points.
A complete forward
Edouard, by all means, is an intriguing centre forward. Standing at 1.87m, he is a physically well-built striker, who can use his physicality to keep hold of the ball and shrug the opposing defenders. It helps him create layoffs for his teammates in the final third.
However, what makes the Frenchman such an appealing centre forward is his unrivalled technical quality. Edouard is excellent on the ball, and despite his stature, he can comfortably nestle through tight spaces, mainly thanks to his quick feet. His close control, combined with his technical prowess, allows him to play one-touch football, thereby creating quick chances for his team.
Moreover, the ex-PSG prodigy has an eye for goal. He is indeed a brilliant finisher, which is backed up by his impressive scoring tally at Celtic. Another critical aspect of Edouard’s gameplay is his proficiency from set-pieces. He can take free-kicks from long-range as well as penalties – making him a well-rounded centre-forward.
Do Arsenal really need Edouard?
Edouard seems like an attractive option not only for Arsenal but for any club in Europe. He has specific characteristics that could make him a real asset in English football.
As far as Arsenal are concerned, making a move for Edouard in the summer might not be a bad idea. Their key centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette has failed to provide the productivity in front of goal while top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a move away from Emirates.
That’s where the Celtic star could come into the fray. He is not only an ideal replacement for Aubameyang, but he can also prove to be an upgrade over Lacazette if he can replicate his performances in the Premier League. And at the age of just 22, Edouard could undoubtedly be a smart long-term investment for the Gunners.
