Both the Premier League and the Europa League are places where Arsenal would want to be right now. But they can’t afford to pat themselves on the back too much.
The January transfer window is almost coming. The Gunners might seek the market for reinforcements.
Arsenal was unable to complete any late-game acquisitions during the summer transfer window. It seemed like they were trying to recruit a new central midfielder and a winger.
Therefore, most of the current talk surrounding the Gunners’ transfer dealings centres on the position of midfielder and wide positions.
Ismael Bennacer, a standout for both AC Milan and Algeria, is one player whose name is being bandied around. There has been a new rumour from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) claiming the Gunners have made contact about the 24-year-old.
Bennacer reportedly has a price tag of £52 million, although clubs like Chelsea are also reportedly interested in signing him. It would be fantastic if Arsenal were able to sign him, since he is a really talented player.
Will Ismael Bennacer sign for Arsenal?
Bennacer was once signed by Arsenal, although he never played a significant role for the North London club. Since then, he’s become a quality player. So the Gunners might have good reason to want him back.
The likes of Santi Cazorla, Lucas Torreira, David Silva, and Gennaro Gattuso have been compared to Bennacer on Twitter. Even in 2018, Bennacer was getting rave reviews from scouting publications.
Central midfielders who can maintain possession under duress and counteract opponents’ pressing techniques, as scouting website FTBL put it, “have become vital” to modern European football tactics.
Ismael Bennacer can accomplish either/both. His exceptional agility and superb skill in confined areas make him a standout as a deep-lying midfielder.
He is exceptional at moving the ball to alleviate pressure. Passing quickly to accessible teammates, turning away from on-rushing opponents to burst upfield, and dribbling out of tight spaces to extend build-up sequences, all of which create significant time and space for teammates to exploit.
Despite seeing minimal playing time last season, the Rossoneri claimed that their midfielder played a crucial part in their tactics. He helped them retain consistency to return to the Serie A top positions.
Despite losing Hakan alhanolu and Franck Kessié, the team’s midfield play has remained steady because of Bennacer’s leadership.
The key to the Algerians’ offensive effectiveness is the balance between the lines. This is achieved in part because of the Algerians’ excellent passing skills and nimble mobility.
His value when he does not have the ball is not to be minimized either. Since he helps the squad press effectively and stops them from giving up risky attacks all the time.
