Latest transfer reports highlight one massive blunder from Arsenal – TBR View

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are being linked in latest reports with Dinamo Zagreb’s Mislav Orsic, which on reflection highlights one massive blunder from the Gunners.

The Times reported in its print edition (26 March, Page 66) that Arsenal are “monitoring” the Croatia international.

Orsic, 28, is a skilful attacker that is on the radar of the Gunners, and he recently inflicted real pain on north London rivals Tottenham by knocking them out of the Europa League.

The left-winger scored a stunning hat-trick to help eliminate Spurs, which takes his individual goal tally up to 19 scored across all competitions this season.

His form this campaign must be taken with a pinch of salt given the majority of his games are played in the Croatian league, but the fact he’s performing consistently in the Europa League too shows his individual talent.

It remains to be seen if Mikel Arteta’s side will ramp up interest in Orsic, but either way it shows they are open to improving that area of the pitch.

Arsenal’s massive transfer blunder comes when you look at current player Willian, who plays in the same position as target Orsic.

It seemed a risk at the time when Arsenal signed Willian in the summer on huge £192,000-a-week (Spotrac) wages, albeit he was a free transfer after his contract had expired at Chelsea.

Any fears over the 32-year-old have been proved correct.

The Brazilian winger has had some success when you point out the fact he’s had seven assists, but there is no getting away from the fact he’s massively underachieved for the wages he’s on.

He’s also yet to score a single goal in 30 games across all competitions.

If you look at the wide options currently at the Emirates Stadium, Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka appear to be in direct competition to play on the right.

That leaves the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli that can all be deployed on the left.

If you consider Arsenal pay astronomical wages for a squad player, it shows a gamble hasn’t paid off on Willian’s signature.

A summer move to bring in an exciting wide player like Orsic would make sense, especially as he’s four years younger than Willian, but the likelihood is they will have to keep splashing the wages on the latter.