After bringing an end to the nightmarish season, Arsene Wenger will have a lot of work to do as soon as he announces his decision to stay at the helm for a longer period. Apart from some important changes in the administrative setup, Wenger will have to fill in certain voids in the squad too.
While pundits and fans have been crying to get in some star players to boost their title chances and also to keep Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil at the club, that wouldn’t be a very Arsenal thing to do at all. Wenger is well acquainted with the ideology of the club and he has done what is very much expected of him, to try and sign an unknown face from a lower club.
Reportedly, Arsenal have started negotiations with Belgian club KAS Eupen’s star player Henry Onyekuru now. The Nigerian international has been a revelation in the Jupiler Pro League this season. At only 19, he is the side’s main player scoring 24 times and assisting 9 times in all competitions for the club.
Another major reason for Arsenal lunging in ahead of the other Premier League sides is Onyekuru’s £6.8 million release clause. However, Arsenal just might land a real gem for a cut-price deal here. What gives the North-London side all the more edge is the player’s reported admiration for the club. A left-wing by nature, Onyekuru can play on the other flank as well as through the centre, just as Wenger likes.
Arsenal’s striking options have been largely unproductive apart from Alexis Sanchez. The likes of Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck have all been inconsistent and Wenger would like to bring in some competition for that position. With the new three-man defence setup, Arsenal need someone who can chase defenders at the other end and keep them under pressure.
And apart from Welbeck none of the other has executed that pressure. Giroud has always been less of a sprinter up front and Walcott’s defensive contributions have been criticised a lot of late. Lucas Perez, Arsenal’s latest signing, has spent most of the time injured and will look to have a proper season next term.
Onyekuru will be needed all the more for Arsenal’s involvement in the hectic Europa League schedule next season. Wenger would want ample rest for Alexis Sanchez and others for the weekly Premier League fixtures and see off the midweek Europa fixtures with a win at the same time.
