It’s the worst-kept secret in football that Mikel Arteta needs to sign players before Arsenal are considered top four contenders, never mind title challengers. They've made a few savvy signings since the Spaniard was appointed the manager, yet the squad is a long way from taking on the likes of Man City and Liverpool.
Funnily enough, this makes it very intriguing for Ghanaian fans of the Premier League. Although it’s impossible to tell who the club will acquire, there have been footballers from Ghana identified that could solve the crisis they find themselves in.
Defensive Stability
Arsenal aren’t renowned for their solidity at the back, but the fact that David Luiz is leaving makes the situation worse. The Gunners are better now that Arteta has instilled a sense of hunger for winning the ball back and throwing their bodies in front of shots. However, there’s a lot of work to do before the back-four are among the best in the league.
Arsenal supporters shouldn’t be discouraged though because a readymade full-back is available in the form of Tariq Lamptey, the English-Ghanaian right-sided player who is currently at Brighton & Hove Albion. As someone who has cemented his status as a quality Premier League player, there aren’t many question marks over his ability to step up to the next level.
Achraf Hakimi to Repubblica: “I’m planning my future with Inter. I hope to stay for a long time, I’m happy here”.
Arsenal will sign a new RB but have never opened official talks for Hakimi as of today. Lamptey is not on top of the list. Bellerin’s gonna leave the club. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 17, 2021
Another defender who is making waves in the UK is Jeremie Frimpong, the ex-Celtic full-back. Again, he is familiar with the British style of play and isn’t afraid to use his intelligence and athleticism to defend stoutly and rapidly turn defense into attack. As wing-backs, they’d easily fit into a system will three central defenders, too.
Hungry Replacements That Play the Right Way
The problem with Arsenal’s current transfer strategy is that they have too many loan players who could end up leaving, like Dani Cellabos and Martin Odegaard. Both of them are contracted to Real Madrid and could be back at the Bernabeu in the summer. Indeed, Cellabos has already said an emotional goodbye to the fans.
To bolster the squad, Arteta will need young, hungry replacements with the technical skills to match Cellabos and Odegaard. There aren’t many footballers who fit the bill, but Mohammed Kudus is an exciting prospect that impresses with every game he plays for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Apart from having an eye for a goal and an assist, his style is ingrained in the total football philosophy developed by Johan Cruyff.
Kudus will take time to develop and won’t lead them to the title right away, so Arsenal fans shouldn't expect their current Premier League betting odds of 80/1 for the EPL trophy to change anytime soon. However, the future would be bright at The Emirates if high-class players like Kudus and Lamptey were in the ranks.
A Healthy Atmosphere
Ghanaians know that Thomas Partey is the key to form as his ability to break up play and start attacks is everything The Gunners require to start climbing the table. Stats from 2019/20, before injuries broke up his season, highlight this beyond doubt because he’s the sort of man who averages one chance created every 90 minutes from his role in front of the back four.
Sadly, for Partey and Ghana’s followers, the midfield maestro hasn’t hit the ground running in North London. However, having potential international teammates around him will bring a sense of familiarity off the pitch that should lead to improved performances in front of 60,000 supporters. Just things like speaking his native language and having friends to socialize with away from the game are vital.
With Lamptey, Frimpong, and Kudus in the squad, Arsenal’s main man will undoubtedly benefit from a healthier environment in 2021/22.
A few smart transfers will propel Mikel Arteta’s men forward, but these Ghanaian players bring different dimensions that Arsenal lack. Let's see how the manager and top executives at The Emirates read the situation.