Arsenal close in on £36m-rated Brazilian wing-wizard: SWOT analysis

Arsenal are closing in on Gremio attacker Everton Soares, as per reports.

Unai Emery’s side were keeping tabs on the Brazilian attacker, and Fox Sports have reported that the Gunners are close to securing a £36 million move for Everton.

Gabriel Martinelli has been Arsenal’s only signing so far this summer as they don’t have a big transfer budget for Emery to spend lavishly on new acquisitions.

Everton, who had recently won the Copa America with Brazil, is one of the hottest properties in South American football at the moment, and his arrival would add a lot more potency and freshness to the attack.

Here is a complete SWOT analysis of Everton:

Strengths

Everton is a versatile attacker and can feature anywhere in the attacking third – on either wing or as a centre-forward. Equipped with a good burst of pace, he can stretch defences and leave defenders in his trail.

Predominantly, he is a modern-day inverted winger and one of his most notable attributes is his ability is to wrong foot defenders and test the goalkeeper or play a reverse pass for the overlapping full-back.

Strong with his dribbling, his work-rate will hold him in good stead under Emery’s set-up which needs the attackers to be tenacious on the pitch.

Weaknesses

The Premier League is a physically demanding league, and Everton might struggle to impose himself as he has a rather diminutive frame.

He lacks the strength required to beat the opposition defenders aerially or to outmuscle them, and this aspect could be a major cause of concern, especially against teams who play a low-block that will take out Everton’s ability to attack space.

Opportunities

While Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a poor campaign last season and flattered to deceive, Danny Welbeck left the club earlier this summer and Arsenal do need a winger.

The Brazilian international could be an astute signing for the north London side as he is expected to get regular playing time.

He could be the solution for Arsenal in the final third as they lacked a bit of bite at times last season, and ultimately missed out on a top-four finish.

Threats

The 23-year-old is unfamiliar with English football and players generally struggle to make their presence felt after making a switch to the Premier League.

After the tournament he had with Brazil in the Copa America, expectations will be high.