Arsenal have joined the race to sign out of sorts Barcelona midfielder Rafinha. Considering the fact that both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are on the verge of leaving the Emirates before the end of next summer transfer window, the Gunners are bracing themselves for life without their offensive superstars.
According to various reports, Rafinha has been identified as the replacement for Mesut Ozil. And with the player himself, not being not being the part of the plans for new head coach Ernesto Valverde, he could be eyeing an exit from the Nou Camp this January. But can the Brazilian midfielder live up to his expectations in the Premier League?
Rafinha Alcantara, famously the brother of highly renowned FC Bayern midfielder Thiago Alcantara was one of the most promising players in the Barcelona squad until injuries completely halted his impressive progress. The midfielder is currently out with a meniscus injury and is not expected to return until the first week of December.
As mentioned earlier, however, Rafinha is most likely not included in Valverde’s plans and a move to the Premier League could be on the horizon for the 24-year-old. And Arsenal does actually make a strong case for being the perfect club for the Brazilian midfielder.
While he may not be as creative as Mesut Ozil in the final third, Rafinha is an all-around midfielder who can provide support for his teammates in every way possible and not only just to create chances.
Despite his rather short figure, Rafinha has reputable strength and ferocity in his game. But his most notable assets as a midfielder are his exquisite passing and excellent dribbling skills.
Rafinha is the pass master Arsenal needs at the moment, especially with head coach Arsene Wenger being so married to the idea of playing beautiful and exquisite football. Even though he has his fair share of flaws in his game, the 24-year-old bags a lot of promise and grit.
The midfield partnership of Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka clearly hasn’t been the best in the league this season but the addition of Rafinha is sure to add an extra dimension to Arsenal’s midfield. His versatility coupled with his incredible technical qualities are definitely a perfect match for a club like Arsenal and who knows, maybe in time, the younger brother of Thiago could actually follow the footsteps of his older brother by making a massive breakthrough away from Barcelona.
