Arsenal started off the season with a positive vibe around the club with Arsene Wenger making a number of signings amidst vociferous calls for the same and with the major contenders around them going through a plethora of changes, both in managerial capacities and personnel, there was a feeling that Arsenal would be significantly ahead of their title rivals when the season finally rolled.
And after an opening day loss against Liverpool, they did look a team which is capable of challenging for the title at long last. They coupled their attacking fluidity along with a display of doggedness which was seldom seen in the Gunners recently. They eked out wins and kept plugging away till the final whistle blew.
But a couple of back to back losses after a 14-match unbeaten streak exposed the skeletons in the cupboard. With a sprinkling of draws scattered around, they lost the initial momentum and currently find themselves in the familiar 4th spot.
With constant speculation regarding Ozil and Sanchez’s contract clouding each and every match and with the gap between Chelsea and them in danger of increasing further, Wenger might have decided to inject fresh blood to give them the requisite thrust to get going again and deflect all the distracting talks. Even if a deal is not completed in the winter window, with doubts over Chamberlain and Ramsey’s future at the club and their relative stagnancy over the years might force Wenger to look for options in the long term.
According to latest reports, Arsene Wenger has reignited his interest in Lyon winger Rachid Ghezzal, who has just 6 months left on his contract which is due to expire in the summer.
The Algerian joined Lyon academy at the age of 12 and has come up through the ranks since. He featured for Lyon B 53 times and scored 10 goals for them. He made the step up to the senior side in 2012 and has since made 75 appearances for them scoring 11 goals in the process. He primarily plays on the wide left-hand side but is also capable of playing in the centre and on the right wing.
The 24-year old is a good dribbler and looks to play the final ball often. His passing is also spot-on and is a threat on set-pieces. But he will have to work on his finishing and aerial ability in order to fully blossom in the Premier League. He has represented Algeria 6 times and has scored 8 goals and further had 7 assists during the last season in Ligue 1.
