According to De Telegraaf, as cited by Metro, Arsenal are interested in Teun Koopmeiners. The Gunners are closing in on the capture of Albert Sambi Lokonga, but it appears Mikel Arteta is determined to add more options. As such, Koopmeiners has been identified as a potential option, with the AZ Alkmaar midfielder believed to be a lifelong fan of Arsenal.
What Does Koopmeiners Bring To The Table?
A product of the AZ youth academy, Teun Koopmeiners has been a first-team regular at Alkmaar for quite some time now. He initially made his breakthrough in the 2017/18 Eredivisie campaign, notching up 150 competitive appearances since.
A holding midfielder by trade, Koopmeiners is known for his all-round gameplay and versatility. The Dutchman was particularly productive in the final third, notably scoring as many as eleven goals last season despite featuring in a holding midfield position.
Standing at 1.83m, the 23-year-old is not be the tallest midfielder around Europe. But he does bring a sense of aggression and work ethic in the middle of the park, boasting the ability to win back possession for his side. It combines well with the Dutchman’s productivity, making him a polished midfielder who is capable of performing consistently at the highest level of football.
Is He A Good Fit For Arsenal?
The potential addition of Lokonga should add the much-needed depth in the Arsenal midfield, following Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos’ return to Real Madrid. Matteo Guendouzi also left for Marseille on loan, while Granit Xhaka’s future at the club remains uncertain.
However, the Gunners need more quality than Lokonga if they are to truly push for a top-four finish. And that is where someone like Teun Koopmeiners comes into the fray.
The Dutchman provides an excellent balance between defence and attack that should strengthen Arsenal’s second line of press. His aggression, tenacity and ability to drive forward do indeed tune in well with the physically and technically astute nature of Thomas Partey.
The 23-year-old can even operate as a centre-back, if required, meaning he can potentially cover for the three main centre-backs in Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes and Pablo Mari.
Koopmeiners is unlikely to cost a fortune either, as his AZ Alkmaar contract expires in less than two years. He has been linked with an exit for a long time, so it won’t be surprising to see the Dutch outfit cashing in on him for a cut-price this summer. He is, therefore, a smart option for the north London giants.
