As reported by Daily Mail, Arsenal are in talks with Hammarby regarding the potential transfer of Emil Roback. Hammarby’s sporting director, Jesper Jansson has confirmed that the Gunners have contacted the club in pursuit of the youngster. However, they could face stiff competition from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who are also keen on securing the services of the young striker.
Emil Roback: Player profile
A centre-forward by trade, Roback can be deemed as a modern attacker. He likes to operate in relatively deeper areas of the pitch and is capable of taking on defenders. The youngster has extremely quick feet that enable him to deceive defenders with his a tricky turn or feint. It allows him to act as a primary source of creativity even in the rigid areas of the defence.
Another key aspect of Roback’s gameplay is his pace. The forward is lightning quick, which often takes the opposition by surprise. That means he is effective in the first line of the press while his pace also makes him a scourge on the counter.
Moreover, the 16-year-old is considerably tall for his age. Standing at 1.86m, Roback’s impressive physique gives him an advantage during aerial or physical duels. It also helps him keep hold of the ball under pressure, making him a well-rounded centre forward.
Do Arsenal need a new striker?
Arsenal might be in dire need of a new centre forward in the summer despite boasting the services of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Lacazette, in particular, has failed to provide the goalscoring prowess. As a result, the Gunners have appeared overreliant on the services of Aubameyang. But, the Gabonese international is facing an uncertain future at the club, with Inter Milan among the clubs interested in his services.
Aubameyang could leave Emirates in the summer if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League, which they most likely will. And with that in mind, it would perhaps be wise for Mikel Arteta to splash the cash on a potential replacement.
Should Arsenal gamble on Roback?
Roback definitely seems like a talented individual. He has all the qualities of a top-class forward while his physical prowess makes him a tailor-made fit for the Premier League. But, at the same time, his lack of experience at the highest level of football makes him a risky target for Arsenal. Indeed, the youngster still plays for Hammarby’s U17 side and is yet to make a senior appearance in football.
A lot could depend on how much Hammaby demand for their prized asset. A fee in the range of €5 million should prove to be a bargain from Arsenal’s end. But, the Gunners simply cannot afford to spend more than €15 million on a young, inexperienced individual, mainly because they also need to address other areas in the summer.
