According to Daily Mail, Arsenal are eyeing a move for Jonjoe Kenny. The Everton right-back, along with LOSC Lille’s Zeki Celik, are the two options being considered as the club prepares for life without Hector Bellerin. Kenny spent the past season on loan at Celtic but might be eyeing a permanent move away from Goodison Park after struggling with a lack of chances.
Jonjoe Kenny’s Struggles At Everton
Jonjoe Kenny broke through the scene in 2017/18 as a young defender looking to emulate Seamus Coleman. However, his progress stalled rapidly, with the defender mustering only ten appearances the following campaign before being loaned out to Schalke in 2019.
Kenny enjoyed an excellent season in the Bundesliga, notching up 31 appearances. He was one of the bright sparks in an otherwise dire campaign for Schalke, although the Royal Blues weren’t able to keep hold of his services.
The Englishman returned to Goodison Park last summer but was not valued by Carlo Ancelotti. As a result, he was loaned out to Celtic in January after making just four appearances during the first half of the Premier League.
Kenny instantly became a first-team regular at Celtic, impressing the onlookers with his attacking prowess and athleticism on the right flank. The defender notably notched up four assists in 16 competitive matches for the Hoops, before returning to Goodison Park this summer.
Is Kenny A Good Investment For Arsenal?
Arsenal are facing a delicate situation in their right-back department. Hector Bellerin is undisputedly one of their most talented players, but his rapid decline over the past couple of years has made him a misfit in Mikel Arteta’s setup where the backup Cedric Soares simply isn’t good enough to become the number one choice.
This is where Jonjoe Kenny could be an interesting option. Although the Englishman doesn’t have much reputation in the Premier League, he has the talent to become a real mainstay in the Arsenal backline.
Not to mention, the 24-year-old will be much better suited to Arteta, as he can play as a right-back as well as a wing-back. His ability to make overlapping runs out wide, coupled with his pace and athleticism could make him a useful figure, allowing the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka to drift infield.
Most importantly, Jonjoe Kenny is unlikely to cost a fortune either, having struggled to make an impact at Everton. His current contract at Goodison Park expires next summer as well – making him a potentially smart investment for the Gunners.
