If recent reports are to be believed then Arsenal had submitted a surprising bid for the Torino fullback by the name of Bruno Peres. Even though the bid was rejected by Torino, the Gunners are reported to place an improved bid as they look to add to their squad.
Peres is a 26-year-old player who primary plays as a right back but can also deputise both as a right/left winger. Arsenal, do have a very talented player in Hector Bellerin playing as their right back currently but the quality that Peres offers is pretty hard to ignore. The Brazilian possesses exceptional pace and acceleration and is a very strong dribbler. In fact, he has completed the most dribbles (83) for a defender across Europe’s top five leagues last season.
Peres came to the limelight after having a wonderful last season where his consistent performances helped Torino to finish 9th in the Serie A. Torino looked like a team which offered an attacking threat for the first time last season since the departures of Cerci and Immobile thanks to the marauding runs made by Peres from the flanks. The Brazilian’s fabulous solo effort against Juventus was one of the moments of the Serie A last season. Peres ended last season with 3 goals and 4 assists and was adjudged man of the match 4 times as well, which is not bad for a right back.
Arsene Wenger is looking for a player with similar attributes who can play on the flanks as well as provide some much needed defensive cover. Both Theo Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain have been very inconsistent and indecisive in their performances over the years and the Gunners are in need of someone who can put in some consistent performances and can get the balls into the box from those wide areas. Peres excels in that and crossing is one of his strong points. With his ability to get past his man, accelerate quickly and put decent deliveries into the box, Arsenal can also utilise the capabilities of their front man Olivier Giroud much more regularly as well.
Arsenal are in desperate need for a striker in this transfer window and the club is prioritising the proceedings for buying a centre-forward more than ever before. In this situation, a bid for a versatile fullback who can play as a winger is not that surprising knowing Arsene Wenger all these years but it is something which the fans would appreciate too once they are fully aware of the player’s quality. A striker remains the priority but adding a talented player like Peres would always be welcomed as well.