According to Goal, Arsenal are looking to complete a deal to sign George Lewis. The Fram Larvik winger could become the first signing for the Gunners this summer, having impressed in his trial in March. He will be available as a free agent, and the north London giants are already in talks regarding a potential transfer.
Who is George Lewis?
Lewis is originally from Kigali, Rwanda. But, he started his youth footballing career at Tromso in 2015. He then moved to Tromsdalen in January 2017 in order to gain a more prominent role. The winger initially featured for the reserve side before being promoted to the senior team, the following year.
After making only three appearances, however, Lewis decided to join Fram Larvik last summer, in the third tier of Norwegian football. He has already impressed the onlookers with his performances, and in March, the attacker was called up for a trial at Arsenal.
What can he add to the table?
As far as his gameplay is concerned, Lewis is known for his versatility. Despite being advertised as a left-winger, the Norwegian can feature anywhere across the final third. He has exquisite control over the ball, which helps him drift past opposing defenders as well as nestle through tight spaces.
Another key feature in Lewis’ game is the sheer pace that makes him a scourge on the counter. The 19-year-old is also capable of finding spaces and providing crosses and long-balls, thus making him a useful source of creativity in the final third.
Is Lewis ready for senior football?
Given his lack of experience at the highest level of football, Lewis would need some time to get used to the high-paced nature of English football. This is why he will only be considered as a member of the Arsenal reserve side, meaning he will have to impress in Premier League 2 to gain promotion to the senior team.
Fortunately for him, the Arsenal academy has been booming for the past few years. And spending some time with the reserves will help him gain some valuable experience.
Where does Lewis fit in at Arsenal?
In case Lewis does get the call-up to the senior side, even in the future, he seems like a decent alternative to someone like Nicolas Pepe or Reiss Nelson, both of who have failed to live up to the expectations. His pace and trickery mean he will be a direct replacement for either of these two players.
But as mentioned earlier, the Norwegian must prove himself in the reserve side if he is to make an impact at the Emirates within the coming years.
