According to BT, as cited by Evening Standard, Arsenal are monitoring the progress of Anis Ben Slimane. The Brondby IF youngster has caught the attention of the north London giants after showing a lot of promise playing in the youth competitions. Slimane has a contract with Brondby that expires in 2023, and he is valued at around €5 million.
Anis Ben Slimane: Player profile
Ben Slimane is a product of the Akademism Boldklub youth academy in Denmark. He did, however, move to giants Brondby IF last summer, joining their U-19 department. He had already made quite a mark in the U19 leagues before his move to Brondby. As a result, the youngster earned four first-team opportunities for the Danish giants this season.
A central midfielder by trade, Ben Slimane loves to attack the opposition, which is why he can also operate as an attacking midfielder. The 19-year-old has a tall 1.88m frame that makes it difficult for him to nestle through tight spaces. But, the Dane has quick feet, which more than makes up for his relative lack of mobility.
What makes Ben Slimane such a sought-after asset is his ability to create chances. Much like Mesut Ozil, the Brondby youngster has a sharp eye for finding that defence-threading through ball. He has done it time and time again in the youth leagues of Danish football over the past few years.
Where does Ben Slimane fit in at Arsenal?
Arsenal do not have much depth when it comes to the midfield department. The likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mohamed Elneny are unlikely to have a future at the club. At the same time, Dani Ceballos is set to return to Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the campaign. Moreover, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira have both failed to convince Mikel Arteta fully.
Ben Slimane, therefore, seems like an appealing target. The youngster could combine with Joe Willock and provide Arteta with two fascinating young midfield options at this disposal next season. Not to mention, Ben Slimane’s tendency to create chances could also make him a potential backup for Ozil.
Should Arsenal make a move?
Despite all his qualities, making a move for Ben Slimane might not be a prudent option for Arsenal. The Dane clearly lacks experience at the highest level of football. In fact, he has featured in only four matches in the Danish top-flight so integrating to the faster-paced nature of Premier League could be a difficult job for the youngster.
It would be essential for the player to play at least one full season in the Danish Super League before making the next step in his career. Hence, Arsenal should refrain from making a move for the time being and should instead continue to monitor his development throughout the coming season.
