According to Fichajes, Arsenal are among the clubs keeping an eye on the situation of William Carvalho. The Real Betis midfielder is enjoying a solid season under Manuel Pellegrini, but the club could entertain the idea of selling him in the summer. It has put Arsenal on red alert, although the Gunners are set to face stiff competition from Newcastle United.
William Carvalho: What Does He Bring To The Table?
Formerly of Sporting CP, William Carvalho is a defensive midfielder by trade, who has vast experience at the highest level of football. He is someone who has a high defensive work rate and is able to win back possession for his team.
Standing at 1.87m, the 29-year-old has a strong physique which allows him to excel in physical and even aerial duels. It makes him quite a useful outlet in the second line of press.
In addition to his combative qualities, Carvalho is capable of distributing possession, thanks to his composure and game sense. He has a high knowledge of positioning, even though the midfielder has struggled with consistency in the past.
To top it off, Carvalho brings years of experience, having featured in over 120 competitive games for Betis while winning 69 caps for the Portuguese national team. He is a former European champion as well, making him one of the most well-rounded holding midfielders in Spain.
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A Perfect Option For Arsenal?
Arsenal’s pursuit of William Carvalho is not very surprising. The Gunners lack depth in the midfield department, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka being the only reliable options for Mikel Arteta.
In addition, there is a dearth of a reliable holding midfielder who can offer good protection for the backline. That is where William Carvalho comes into the fray, offering stability and depth in the Arsenal midfield next season.
Indeed, the Portuguese international can compete with Xhaka and Partey for a place in the first-team next season, while offering Arteta an insurance policy should any of his guaranteed starters get injured.
Carvalho is unlikely to cost a fortune either as his current contract at Real Betis expires at the end of next season. Hence, the 29-year-old could prove to be a smart piece of investment for the north London giants.
