Possessing the power , agility and height (6ft 4in) to succeed in the EPL, the youngster has already played 16 games in the Greek Super League having made his debut in November 2016. Though he might be unknown outside Greece, PAS had to refuse a €1m first right of refusal on the player by Olympiakos this winter. In future it is highly likely that the €2.2m spent on his transfer might be a bargain after he adapts to the fast pace and physicality of the EPL. Difficult to beat on one-on-one situations, good on the air, a humble character and a hard-working lad explains the reason new Arsenal Recruitment Head Sven Mislintat made him a priority this winter.
While all these attributes are sure to bring envy from most football clubs; the real question is whether or not Arsenal need a high calibre and highly rated central defender at this point rather than a young prospect considering their inconsistent showings this season. A look at the clubs above Arsenal in the table show most splashed big to sign quality defenders who have become a corner stone of the clubs at various points (David Luiz, Eric Bailly, Nicolas Otamendi) not mentioning Liverpool's £75m signing of Virgil Van Dijk. At present Arsenal are 6th in the league, having lost five times winning 11 after 22 games (13 points behind run away leaders Manchester City and five behind fourth placed Liverpool who occupy the final Champions League qualification berth). Failure to qualify for the Champions League will be a massive disaster which will automatically mean the Gunners are no longer a Top Four EPL side having also failed to qualify for the competition for the first time since Arsene Wenger's reign (appointed in 1995). Rather than doing everything possible to at least make the competition next season including signing top players who will make immediate impact , Wenger is repeating the same mistakes he has made over the years since his last league trophy in 2004.
A look at Arsenal's defence causes big panic to fans with three of the six senior central defenders already in their 30's as well as looking Jaded and in need of grooming successors (Per Mertesacker -33 years, Laurent Koscielny -32 and Nacho Monreal -31), while the Calum Chambers (22) has failed to step up; making Rob Holding (22) and Shkodran Mustafi (25) although inconsistent the other options .
Already out of the FA Cup, Wenger seems to be out of depth with modern coaching making the signing of the Greek youngster more shocking . With doubts on his technical qualities (ball passing and control), Mavropanos still has ample time to grow into one of the best in his position considering the now realiable Koscielny was far from finished when he arrived as a youngster in 2010 from Lorient.
The purpose of this article isn't to criticise the signing of the Greek defender rather to point out the need of addressing the present rather than planning for the future without a present.
No comments:
Post a Comment