It seems like every summer Arsenal are linked with a player that just seems too good to be true.
In 2013 it was Luis Suarez, in 2015 it was Karim Benzema, and in 2019, could that player be David Alaba?
Speaking to Bild (via the Daily Mail), the Austrian defender has told the German outlet that, despite being happy at Bayern Munich, he would be open to a move to the Premier League in the future and that when growing up, he was an Arsenal fan.
Discussing clubs outside of Bayern that interest him, he reportedly said: ‘Spain, England. In Spain it would be the two big clubs, I guess? Real or Barcelona. Also the big clubs [in England].’
He continued: ‘Yes I was [an Arsenal fan as a child]. When you’ve been Arsenal fan as a kid you will be one your whole life in some way.’
With the Bavarian club reportedly close to signing Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez, the 26-year-old left back could be a realistic departure from the German giants this summer. Does that mean that Arseanl will look to bring him in? It doesn’t, but if he’s open to new challenges and he’s a self-confessed fan, could there be an opportunity for the Gunners?
One thing’s for sure, a move for Alaba would certainly have a big impact on the Arsenal first team. Here are THREE potential consequences…
Left-Back Problem Solved
If Alaba is brought in to north London, Arsenal’s long-searched hunt for a genuine replacement for Ashley Cole 13 years in the making will finally be complete.
The Munich defender has been one of the best fullbacks in world football for the good part of six-years, winning six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with Bayern as well as being selected in numerous Team of the Year and Seasons by UEFA and various publications.
Arsenal will have a true powerhouse in the defence, and with Alaba being able to play at centre-back and in central midfield, as he does regularly for Austria, the Bayern star will be a player that makes the Gunners a better team in two departments that the club need improvements in.
Despite all of their talent, neither Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac have been able to truly have the desired impact in London, with neither possessing the quality of Cole or, indeed, Alaba.
Sead Kolasinac Sold
Speaking of defenders, if Alaba is brought in, it is likely Sead Kolasinac will be let go by Arsenal to both make room in the squad and to add some funds to the Gunners transfer kitty.
Kolasinac has been a weird player during his time in north London. As a wide player, he has been a lethal threat, becoming one of Arsenal’s most dangerous players down the left and someone creates a lot of chances for the team down that left side. Defensively, though, his impact is sometimes non-existent.
The Bosnian international is a player who can’t afford to be sat on the bench for weeks at a time, and with Nacho Monreal entering the twilight years of his career, the Spaniard will be more than welcome to sit out most games to facilitate for Alaba.
Kolasinac, then, would be a more natural departee.
A Risk for Arsenal
Although Alaba might sound like a great signing for the Gunners on paper, the Austrian comes with some big risks about him.
For starters, the defender is fairly injury prone, with Alaba missing four games already this season due to niggling injuries, and this has been the case for the defender over the past few seasons with Bayern.
Although the 26-year-old has not had a massive setback in his career yet, playing for Arsenal means injuries will happen when playing the club, and if Unai Emery isn’t careful he could end up with his new star signing out for a long time.
As a result, he’s not exactly a player upon which the Gunners could rely. The left-back in a team is one of those positions that is rarely rotatted, and so to have a player that isn’t always fit featuring would not be ideal.
Not to mention, he’s an agile and quick player, and eventually that style of play will make his problems worsen. He’s not got a lot going for him at present from that point of view.
