Earlier this week, Football FanCast revealed that a staggering 79% of Arsenal fans want Unai Emery to reunite with Steven Nzonzi this summer. The powerful defensive midfielder was a key player for Emery’s Sevilla side as the engine room anchor behind an exciting and vibrant attack – lifting the Europa League title together in 2015/16.
But how would signing the France international – who Transfermarkt value at £27million – truly impact the Gunners? Football FanCast take a look at the potential consequences of a summer swoop for the Sevilla star.
Emery makes his mark
Emery’s preference for playing in a 4-2-3-1 setup is no great secret and it’s probably exactly what Arsenal need right now, placing two deep-lying midfielders in front of a defence that was painfully exposed during the latter part of Arsene Wenger’s reign. Nzonzi is perfect for that sitting role and particularly within this Arsenal team; not only does he offer the sheer physicality they lack in midfield, but he’s a classy passer of the ball as well – completing 92% of his passes in La Liga last season.
Most importantly though, the 29-year-old represents a signing that brings Emery a step closer to really making his mark on this Arsenal team – something that’s only amplified by the fact Nzonzi already understands the system and the Gunners gaffer’s methods.
Opportunities dry up for Maitland-Niles
Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ rise was one of the few positive stories from Wenger’s final season in charge but Nzonzi’s arrival could make it a little more difficult for the exciting 20-year-old to get game-time.
In fairness, Maitland-Niles did show some versatility last season, also featuring as a left-back and a wing-back under Wenger, but central midfield appears to be his best role and signing the Frenchman would only increase the competition there with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Jack Wilshere already at Emery’s disposal.
While many Arsenal fans will argue he’s a better option than some of the above names, the fact is Emery will want to get off to a strong start in north London and that will likely see him favour experience and new signings over youth.
Arsenal’s defensive record markedly improves
Arsenal conceded a staggering 51 goals last season, the most of any side in the top seven by a margin of twelve, and arresting that porousness will surely be one of Emery’s first ports of call during the summer – whether that’s working with the backline on the training pitch or overhauling its personnel via the transfer window.
But defending well doesn’t begin with the back four – the fact is, Arsenal’s defenders had an incredibly tough job under Wenger because of how open the rest of the team was, especially in midfield.
Nzonzi brings the discipline and defensive awareness Arsenal glaringly need, and that extra slab of protection could drastically change opinions of certain defenders at the club, such as Hector Bellerin and Shkodran Mustafi, who have probably been made to look worse than they actually are over the last few seasons.
[ad_pod ]
