Arsenal pros and cons to Philippe Coutinho transfer that will add need for midfield quality but halt youth development
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I HAVE been intrigued to read several articles of late, linking Arsenal with a move for Barcelona’s expensive 2018 purchase, Philippe Coutinho.
The sceptical among us might think the stories have been created either by his agent or indeed because of who is agent is.
It is no secret that Kia Joorabchian is not only a passionate Gunner, but has also recently been involved in the moving of two of his charges to the club, in Luiz and Soares.
It is hard in some sense to see from the back of which Diamond Club sofa the Arsenal hierarchy might find the money fund the move, if it were a purchase, but a loan is not inconceivable given how keen his parent club are to have the Brazilian off the wage bill.
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They have even indicated a willingness to accept far less than then £100m or so that was in his buy option for Bayern, where he has spent 2019/20 on loan.
Given Joorabchian's close relationship with Sanlehi and Edu it is possible that there might be wiggle room on a loan if, and it is a big if, Arteta truly sees Coutinho and a replacement for Mesut Ozil in 2021.
Many have forgotten how well the playmaker performed at times for Liverpool in the Premier League and are judging the player on a stuttering career since departing Anfield.
Other superb players have failed to consistently shine at Barcelona and placing him wide in a 4-3-3 formation has not helped him.
If Arteta is wedded to a 4231, it might better suit the Brazilian’s attributes and despite not playing as regularly as I am sure he would have liked, he has certainly not flopped in Munich.
He has only started 15 matches in the Bundesliga and appeared a substitute on seven occasions, but we need to consider the shear strength and depth of that squad.
A return of eight goals and six assists from that number of matches is far from disappointing and to make a comparison, the influence on goals stats are virtually identical to that of Rhiad Mahrez, who in one more game has one less goal and two more assists.
I am not sure anyone this season is labelling the Algerian a flop for a worthy contribution within a superb squad at Man City.
I was intrigued enough by the speculation to run a short poll on my Twitter, to gauge the Arsenal fan’s reaction to the Coutinho links, as this is, after all, a Fan’s column.
The voting was enthusiastic and from a large cross-section of over 1000, it seems that just over 70% of those voting would like to see the exciting Brazilian in the famous red and white.
Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Positives:
- In a 4-2-3-1 he would add more mobility than Ozil as well as carry the ability to beat a man and break the lines.
- At the start of next season, he will have only just turned 28 and have, in theory, his peak years ahead, in a league in which he is proven.
- Goals from midfield desperately need to be added and Coutinho scored 13 in his last Premier League campaign.
- As recently as the summer of 2018 he was scoring and assisting in Brazil’s run to the World Cup Quarter Finals and as a regular international and compatriot he should form an excellent role model and mentor to Martinelli
Negatives:
- His agent might have a role to play in negotiations, but his wages are far higher than Arsenal can afford on the face of it. Certainly, a purchase and wages, with Ozil still at the club would be nonsensical.
- Coutinho’s arrival would limit the ability for Emile Smith-Rowe to progress, after starring on loan at Huddersfield.
- It might be seen as a gamble to see if the player can regain the form he showed in the Premier League.
- Given the current state of the squad and the limited cash likely to be available I am sure most Arsenal fans would rather see what money there is invested in other areas, certainly in an all-action central midfielder.
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In conclusion, my personal feeling is that Coutinho is still a quality footballer and I feel he would regain his best form playing consistently in a fluid role, under a progressive coach like Arteta.
However, despite his agent, I simply cannot see Arsenal being able to fund the deal, even as a loan, unless the player is willing to take a pay cut or Joorabchian can convince Barcelona to pay a proportion.
*Follow Dave Seager on Twitter, ...