Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue to show interest in some exciting names this summer. The latest such name now linked with a move to Emirates is West Ham United star, Felipe Anderson.
A story from Mirror claims that Felipe Anderson may not have a future at West Ham, who have offered him to Arsenal on loan for a fee of £5m.
Anderson’s commitment to West Ham has been questioned in the last few months but will a move to Emirates help the Brazilian get his career back on track?
Felipe Anderson’s Premier League Stint
Born and brought up in Brazil, Felipe Anderson moved to Europe for the first time with Lazio in 2013 and spent five seasons in Italy registering 34 goals and 39 assists in 177 appearances for the club across all competitions.
He was brought to England by West Ham in 2018 and Anderson did make a decent start to his career here, registering nine goals and four assists in 33 Premier League starts in his first season in the country.
However, he failed to show any consistency last season, as he managed just one goal and four assists in 20 league starts.
A skilful winger who can play on either flank, Anderson is an excellent dribbler who can create plenty of chances with the ball at his feet. He is a hard man to mark on the wing as his pace and trickery allow him to get out of tight spaces with ease.
What makes Felipe Anderson an attractive option is his willingness to also do the hard work. He is happy to fall back and provide cover for his full-back while also being a real threat in counter-attack situations.
His through balls and switch of play are usually productive and at 27, he is a player who could still improve in a more conducive set-up.
Chances At Arsenal?
Last season, Arteta had Nicolas Pepe as the only natural winger in the squad.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson were used as wingers on either flank but Anderson is more natural in the wide positions and could be a huge asset for Arsenal next season.
Arteta has signed another Brazilian winger in Willian earlier this summer so Anderson may struggle for first-team chances, even on the wing.
But the West Ham man’s ability to play on either wing or even in a no.10 role might attract the Arsenal manager, who can then chose different formations and systems against different teams in the league next season.
Aubameyang, Martinelli, Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah will all want to push for the striker’s role while healthy competition on the wings between Pepe, Willian and Anderson will surely improve the quality in the squad as a whole.
Having won the FA Cup last season, Arsenal will want to continue competing for more than one trophy and squad depth will be crucial, making Felipe Anderson a smart buy for Arteta.
But do you think his loan fee makes him a bit expensive for the Gunners?
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