Premier League giants Arsenal are in need of a prolific winger, and Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser could be the solution.
The Gunners have been linked (h/t Express) with a move for Fraser, who will be a free agent when his contract expires in July.
Considering Arsenal’s current predicaments, both on and off the pitch, the club should be preparing to pounce on the opportunity to sign Fraser. However, they will face tough competition from arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The 26-year-old has not been able to match his previous seasons’ exploits, managing just one goal and four assists in 28 Premier League outings so far this season.
But there is no doubt about the quality of the player. Last season, he scored seven goals and had 14 to his name, and could have better numbers at a club like Arsenal where the calibre for forwards is higher than that at Bournemouth.
3 reasons why Arsenal should sign Ryan Fraser
#1 No proper winger in the squad
It’s not like Arsenal are in a shambolic situation financially, and are one of the top clubs in England. Yet, the squad lacks a proper winger who has the confidence to take on players and assist the forwards.
Ryan Fraser could be the perfect fit for that role, and the opportunity to show his talent at a big club like Arsenal could be the final step in his career.
Apart from being a proactive winger, he is also versatile as he can do his job pretty well on either wing if need be.
#2 He has age on his side
Fraser has already impressed with his output, and is not even at the peak of his career. He is currently 26, and if he does move to Arsenal, it will at the right time.
In the last few years, Arsenal have signed players who were arguably past their peak, and have hence moved backwards. It will be different with Fraser.
Arsenal could use him as a long term option by tying him up to a long-term contract.
#3 Ability to score goals
Fraser is not only a winger but also a goal-scorer. Though the in-demand midfielder has underperformed this season (Bournemouth as a team have struggled), the former Ipswich man showed his ability to find the back of the net last season with his calm finishing.
At Arsenal, he would get a lot more opportunities and quality support around him compared to what he is used to at Bournemouth, which is likely to bring the best out of him.