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Last season Arsenal brought in three Latin Americans to London Colney. All of them – Alexis, Ospina and January signing Gabriel – left their mark. One of them deservedly also won the Arsenal player-of-the-season and the PFA’s Fans Player of the season, even if he was eked out by Hazard for PFA award.
Ospina, to be fair, was brilliant with the chances he was given. Even the boss stood by him when rounds of Cech to Arsenal were on before last couple of matches in the season. The Brazilian Gabriel also grabbed his chances with both hands.
The Metro has suggested that the Gunners submitted a £13m bif for the unsettled Zenit St. Petersburg defender Ezequiel Garay to go with their interest in another Latin American target Vidal.
It would certainly be no less than a coup d’état if we can sign the duo. Both have been heavily linked with rivals, Manchester United, and last season like many of the football followers, I was surprised to see Zenit snatch the Argentine defender from the clutches of the OT faithful.
The 6ft 1 beast has spent almost a decade in Europe after joining as a teenager for La Liga side Racing Santander in 2005. Thereon he has gone on to represent Real Madrid, Portuguese Giant Benfica, and his most recent venture with Arshavin’s Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Argentine International has also amassed a good bounty of medals in form of Copa Del Rey (Madrid), League (Benfica and Zenit) and two EUROPA League runner-up medals.
He appeared in 26 matches in League last season, with 6 matches in Champions League and 4 in the Europa League. He overall won 46% of his tackles averaging 1.2 tackles per game (as per whoscored.com). He has also won 61% of his headed duels, but to step up to EPL standards, he has to improve this area further.
He is known for his calm and composure, and like many other defenders, he is not a reckless tackler. With an immaculate positioning sense and 87 % passing accuracy he is an Wenger-style defender.
The Russian Premier League is surely more physical than the Portuguese or Spanish leagues and so the Argentine has adapted well and rackled up good numbers.
His move to Arsenal would be crucial for the defender’s career. He will get a chance to showcase his talents in world’s top-most league. And it will surely improve his 31 appearances for Argentina, since making debut for them in 2007.
OUR VERDICT
Arsenal do have back-up players in this positon, namely Chambers and Gabriel, but both are a tad raw.
Garay would add a lot of depth and experience to Arsenal’s defence and at £13mn he would be an amazing signing!
