What a time it is to be an English youngster playing in the Premier League.
From Marcus Rashford to Trent Alexander-Arnold to Harry Winks, it seems like there’s a new golden generation of England talent coming through in the Premier League of the likes we haven’t seen since the days of Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is just one of the next back of English hopefuls hoping to make the next step up in his career after making an impressive start to life with the Eagles this season.
A plethora of English teams are interested in the English U-21 international, and a recent report from the Sun claims that Arsenal are interested in Wan-Bissaka and are keen at giving Palace something in return.
The report claims Unai Emery is willing to offer Palace Arsenal youth products Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in return for Wan-Bissaka, so what would happen if this swap deal was to happen?
Nelson and Maitland-Niles flourish at Palace
With no shackles of playing for a top-six club, Nelson and Maitland-Niles will find themselves playing regular first-team football in south London and impressing for Roy Hodgson’s side.
The duo are two of Arsenal’s most promising Hale End products, with Nelson on-loan to Hoffenheim and having a solid season under Julian Naglesmann, whilst Maitland-Niles has found his way into the Arsenal starting XI as a right-wing back and impressing against the likes of Manchester United and Stade Rennais.
At Palace, both players will be regular starters with Nelson the starting right-winger for the Eagles and Maitland-Niles able to play as either a fullback, central midfielder or winger.
Wan-Bissaka plays second fiddle to Bellerin
Wan-Bissaka to the Gunners will be met by scepticism by Arsenal fans, as they know that by Christmas time their new signing will be on the bench in favour for Hector Bellerin, who is currently out with an ACL injury.
The Spanish right-back has flourished since the appointment Unai Emery at Arsenal and has been one of the main creative forces in the starting XI.
With how different the styles are of Bellerin and Wan-Bissaka, it seems entirely likely that the Croydon-born defender will only be there as a temporary replacement for the Spanish international while he recovers from injury.
Emery regrets his decision
A right-back that only sees first-team minutes for the first few months of the season and in cup competitions, two of the clubs brightest prospects sold to a rival club and thriving, you can bet Emery is going to regret this decision.
Wan-Bissaka has all the potential in the world to be a great right-back and someone who could one day be a starting defender for England, but his style and what Emery wants from his fullbacks don’t go together well.
Arsenal right-backs are high-flying swashbuckling defenders who attack first and ask questions later, whereas Wan-Bissaka is a fullback who puts defending first, evident by his stats this season, and Emery will regret signing the youngster whilst also letting go of two players Gunners fans want to see thrive at the club.
Arsenal fans, would you take Wan-Bissaka at Arsenal if it meant Maitland-Niles and Nelson leave?
