Yet another season of failure looms large for Arsenal as they crashed out of the Champions League Round of Sixteen yet again and have failed to impose any substantial challenge for the Premier League title. The FA Cup is the only realistic target which can save them some blushes in the season which is likely to be Arsene Wenger’s last season in charge of the club.
There are quite a few alterations which would be required to be amended once the summer transfer window opens. There is little denying the perception that the aura and creativity of the jam-packed midfield of the Gunners which boasts of a plethora of stars has notably diluted. Moreover, with the likelihood of a couple of stars, who need no mentioning, leaving the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season might urge Arsenal to start jotting down proactive transfer measures.
Amidst the latest reports to have surfaced, the one linking Everton’s Ross Barkley to the North London outfit is particularly an appealing one. Barkley’s contract expires in the summer of 2018 and considering that he doesn’t share the best of relationships with the Toffees’ manager, Ronald Koeman, a move for the English international is imminent if things keep going ahead in this manner.
Moreover, Koeman has also underlined that he shall be unwilling to keep Barkley at the Goodison Park if he doesn’t sign an extension and this perfectly puts the ball in Arsenal’s court to be pounced upon by them. In 27 league appearances so far for the Merseyside club, the 23-year-old has accumulated 4 goals and 7 assists apart from registering 2.5 key passes every game on an average and Arsenal’s apparent keen interest to lure him into their ranks does make perfect sense.
Predominantly an attacking midfielder who can play on either wing, Barkley has the calibre to work effectively at the centre of the park and not to mention that he boasts of an excellent physique and notable technique to ply his trade at any top quality side in Europe. Barkley surges forward meticulously, has a keen eye for precise passes, has raw pace in his legs and his long-range shots on target are worth to pine for.
More than anything else, the Arsenal faithful are voicing their demands for an attacking midfielder who can perform not in patches but for the whole season. Should they launch a serious bid to get the sublimely talented Englishman out of the clutches of Koeman in the summer, they can really reap benefits from him in the times to come.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
