According to a recent report from Football.London, it is stated that Arsenal are showing keen interest in Olympique Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta. It is understood that the star midfielder has garnered attention from various Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, who were ready to offer £68million for acquiring his services, but the Gunners are leading the race to bring him to Emirates Stadium before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.
Paqueta’s Impressive Form At The Groupama Stadium
Paqueta has established himself as a key player for Lyon as he put in a run of impressive displays in the final third last season. The 24-year-old found the back of the net on 11 occasions and created seven assists over 43 appearances for the French club in the previous campaign in multiple competitions.
The Brazilian sensation caught the eye by averaging 2.5 shots, 1.2 key passes and 2.3 dribbles per game in Ligue 1. He was even careful when distributing possession in the attacking third after completing 79.6% of his attempted passes in the French top-flight (stats via whoscored).
What Could He Bring To Arsenal?
Paqueta can shoot the ball with power and accuracy from long ranges. He does well to retain possession for his team and remains a decent dribbler of the ball. The Brazil international can create some clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates when on the front foot.
The Ligue 1 player of the season nominee has proved his calibre and could do better in the English first division. At 24, Paqueta will get even better in the coming seasons, so Mikel Arteta could orchestrate his attacking prowess by making use of Paqueta in the midfield areas alongside Martin Odegaard.
The Brazilian wizard would add more goals and creativity to Arteta’s frontline, but the Gunners haven’t qualified for the Champions League and a player of such calibre would prefer moving to a club who offers UCL football. However, a lucrative offer and guaranteed first-team football could bring him to North London, so Arteta boss should do well to strike an undeniable deal.
