Arsenal supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the new era at their football club following the appointment of Unai Emery as Arsene Wenger’s successor.
Frenchman Wenger left his role as Gunners boss at the end of the season after 22 years in charge of the North London giants, in which time he led them to three Premier League titles, and seven FA Cup triumphs. However, the last few years have seen Arsenal slip away from the top sides in the country, to the point that Spaniard Emery will take over a team that finished sixth in the Premier League this term, and 37 points adrift of champions Manchester City.
As such, there are many excited Gunners supporters in the Tavern at present, several of whom are likely to be intrigued by recent reports linking their side with a move for Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini.
And while the Belgium international may well be a useful addition to Emery’s squad, they should forget about him and instead pursue a deal for reported £13.5 million-rated target Abdoulaye Doucoure (as per Transfermarkt).
Ultimately, there are some concerns among our resident Gunners supporters over whether Fellaini is indeed the answer to their central midfield conundrum, what with the Belgian ace now 30 years of age and having failed to nail down a regular starting place at Old Trafford.
Yes, he’d certainly give them a big presence in the middle of the park, as well as a greater aerial prowess in both boxes, but in terms of dominating a midfield and laying the foundations for the front men to go on and perform, he doesn’t appear to be the answer.
Whereas Watford midfielder Doucoure certainly could be if his first few seasons in English football are anything to go by.
The 25-year-old made the move to Vicarage Road back in 2016 and has since gone from strength to strength with 62 appearances for the Hornets, 39 of which coming this term in a campaign which saw the ex-France youth international become one of the most influential midfielders in the division.
Not just in terms of breaking up play and giving the Watford backline the adequate protection in the middle of the park, but Doucoure also showed genuine quality on the ball with seven goals and four assists for Javi Gracia’s side, two assists of which coming in his wonderful performance against Chelsea back in February.
Thus, it appears that the Frenchman could well be the answer Arsenal have been seeking to their midfield woes, and at the age of 25, he could dominate the middle of the park for the Gunners for many years to come, whereas Fellaini’s best days may well be behind him already.
As such, Emery’s side should forget about a move for United’s Fellaini, as they’d be better served landing target Doucoure this summer.
Arsenal fans… what do you think? Let us know!
