According to Daily Star, Arsenal are looking to re-sign Josh Dasilva this summer. The Brentford midfielder was a former member of the Arsenal youth academy and has starred for the Bees in their impressive campaign in the Championship this season. As a result, he is now one of many second division players Mikel Arteta is keeping an eye on, and a potential return to Emirates could be on the cards this summer.
Josh Dasilva’s rapid rise to prominence
Dasilva was a part of Arsenal’s youth academy until summer 2018 when he moved to Brentford in search of regular game-time. It was a smart move by the midfielder, who, after a slow start to his career at Griffin Park, has now become an indispensable figure in Thomas Frank’s tactical setup.
Indeed, Dasilva has featured in 42 matches in this recently concluded Championship campaign. His ten goals and four assists mean he has been the fourth-highest goal scorer for the club as he helped Brentford finish the campaign with the highest number of goals in the league. Plus, at the time of writing, the 21-year-old has a key role to play in the promotion playoff final against Fulham on Tuesday.
What can he bring to the table?
One of Dasilva’s greatest strengths is his versatility with the ball. He can drop deep and pick the ball up from defence and act as a ball-carrier in the central areas of the pitch. His excellent control over the ball combined with his technical prowess makes the Englishman one of the most in-demand midfielders in the Championship.
Moreover, the ex-Arsenal youth player is a gifted dribbler. It allows him to squeeze through tight spaces and evade the press from the opposition. Meanwhile, a tally of ten goals this season is also indicative of Dasilva’s eagerness to test the opposing goalkeeper, making him an asset for Brentford.
Is Dasilva a viable target for Arsenal?
On paper, Dasilva looks like an interesting option for Mikel Arteta. He is gifted with the positional and tactical sense that could make him an ideal fit for the Spaniard’s footballing philosophy at Emirates. In fact, the 21-year-old’s ability on the ball can help him emerge as a cost-effective alternative to Dani Ceballos, who is set to return to Real Madrid this summer.
Another key factor is that Dasilva has already played for Arsenal, albeit for the youth team and shouldn’t have much difficultly settling in. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the midfielder can integrate to the highest level of football.
