Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is determined to stay at Arsenal next season and prove his worth, according to SDNA (via Sport Witness).
Mavropanos was linked with a loan move to Greek rivals AEK Athens and Panathinaikos, however, has reportedly rejected both offers.
The Greek youngster is said to want to wait for his opportunity to impress Unai Emery next season, after also rejecting moves to the Bundesliga and Eredivisie.
According to SDNA, Panathinaikos sporting director Nikos Dabizas wanted to make Mavropanos the ‘leader’ of their defence.
The links for a move away for the 21-year-old would seem credible, after enduring a frustrating campaign last season with injuries limiting the youngster to just six appearances in all competitions.
The opportunity of a loan move could do the youngster the world of good, especially with Calum Chambers and Rob Holding returning from Fulham and injury respectively.
The Gunners also made a centre-back signing this summer, as William Saliba joined from French side AS Saint-Étienne. This could further limit Mavropanos’ appearances in the 2020/2021 season if he doesn’t go out on loan next season and prove his worth to the club.
Mavropanos is in between a rock and a hard place. He may well have the ability to play for Arsenal as his confidence to stay at the club next season suggests. However, the fact of the matter is his lack of appearances have seen him fall down the pecking order.
Next season, it won’t be too ludicrous to suggest that Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Holding, when he returns from injury, and Chambers will all be ahead of him in the pecking order. So a loan move is needed for him, especially with Saliba coming for the 2020/2021 season.
Mavropanos needs to go out and show Arsenal he’s good enough to start. Otherwise, he’ll spend next season sat on the bench rather than playing regularly. And when Saliba returns following a full season of starts at AS Saint-Étienne, barring injury, he’s also likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
Arsenal fans, does Mavropanos need a loan move? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
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