Can Bordeaux's Brazilian Malcom Really Replace Manchester United Bound Alexis Sanchez At Arsenal?

Born Felipe Silva de Oliveira, the Bordeaux no.7 was given the nickname Malcom in reference to one of his father's favourite civil rights activist (Malcolm X). A natural left footer with a blistering pace as well as the ability to shoot accurately even from 30 yards. With Alexis Sanchez soon to depart from the Emirates this winter, there might be no better player best suited to fill the attacking void the Chilean will leave behind at Arsenal. With an 83% pass accuracy and a shot percentage of 3.3 per game , Malcom is worth every penny of his £35m price tag in an already inflated transfer market .

Although not as direct as Sanchez, the Brazilian excels in tight spaces as well as when given the freedom to roam in attack. With the ability to play in any attacking position as well as his sizzling quick feet and skills, Malcolm is miles ahead of the likes of Alex Iwobi, Theo Walcott  and Danny Welbeck in terms of creativity as his game is more of flair rather than anything else. Signed in the winter of 2016 for a mere €5m from Corinthians, the attacker has already scored seven goals, five assists ,four times Man of the Match , as well as creating 43 chances for his teammates in just 19 Ligue 1 games this season despite his team struggling (five points off relegation placed Angers in 18th). While Sanchez was lauded for his individual brilliance when they team needed it most , Malcolm is not an exception having being coach Jocelyn Gourvennec's fulcrum of attack since his signing .

At 20, the midfielder still has a lot of time to grow under Wenger and will thrive with the attacking freedom which most top managers will not grant him ; a look at the likes of Eden Hazard, Anthony Martial and Sergio Aguero illustrates how these creative players have been restricted by their managers (Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola). Although a winger who prefers to attack from the right , Malcom can also play as a no.10 or on the left which will be handy at Arsenal . Though French football might differ from English football, the Brazilian has shown he is not one that wastes time to acclimatise to a new environment having shone in Bordeaux despite arriving just 12 months ago. Arsenal will have to sign big in order to arrest their steady decline and matching an attacking South American flair to the poaching skills of Alexander Lacazette as well as the directness of Granit Xhaka and Jack Whilshere in midfield will go a long way to cushion the effects of the loss of Manchester United bound Alexis Sanchez although Malcom will need to work on his defensive side as his inability to hassle and tackle when out of possession is a side of his game he must work on before dreaming of becoming one of the best players in the Premier League.