Arsenal are linked with a move for Brentford winger Said Benrahma; it has been claimed.
The former Nice attacker has caught attention with his blistering performances this year, notably attracting the interest of Arsenal as well as Chelsea, as per Le Buteur(via Talksport).
The Brentford star has already voiced his ambition of playing in the Premier League, shortly after Saturday’s defeat to Hull City and it won’t be surprising to see the Gunners making a move in the summer.
Said Benrahma: A smart choice by Unai Emery
Brentford have done a great job in unearthing hidden gems, with players like Chris Mepham and Ryan Woods emerging from their ranks in recent years. And Benrahma, it seems, is the latest one to make an impact for the Bees, having been one of Championship’s most in-form attackers this year.
The Algerian winger has registered 12 assists in the English second division this season while netting seven goals, six of which have been scored in 2019. In fact, Benrahma has been involved in as many as 12 goals since the turn of the year, which has propelled Brentford out of the relegation scrap.
And the former Nice winger could be an exciting addition to Arsenal, who have lacked a tinge of creative substance in their attack this campaign.
Mesut Ozil, in particular, has delivered a host of insipid performance and his future at the club looks bleak, with coach Unai Emery already looking to offload the former German international in the summer.
In addition, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has struggled with injuries while Aaron Ramsey will depart the club at the end of the season, thus leaving the Arsenal attack quite shallow in terms of creativity and depth.
To that end, Benrahma could be an excellent option for the Gunners as they aim to bulk up their creative options in the summer.
Much like his compatriot Riyad Mahrez, Benrahma is a fleet-footed attacker, who loves to take on defenders. In fact, the 23-year-old has attempted 4.4 dribbles per game this season but what makes him such an appealing target for Arsenal is the technical quality that allows him to link up with teammates as well as rotate possession at a quick rate.
Additionally, Benrahma is proficient when it comes providing crosses into the box while his raw pace is always a danger in counter-attacking situations.
Thus, the Algerian international will be an excellent fit for Arsenal’s desired high-energy offensive strategy, and with the player still plying his trade in the second division, Benrahma would appear as the cheaper alternative to other options in the market.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored