Who Is Ousmane Dembele and What Would He Bring to Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger has a reputation for identifying the best young talent in Europe—especially from his native France. However, his scouting network will not need to be particularly attentive to have noticed the rise of Ousmane Dembele.

The 18-year-old has made a dramatic impact in this season’s Ligue 1, and he must surely be figuring on the Gunners’ radar.

According to Ed Malyon of the Mirror, Arsenal's interest is already very real. Those who haven’t yet heard of Dembele will not have to wait long until his name is synonymous with French football.

He made his debut for the under-21 side against Scotland last week, and he has an outside chance of being a wild-card pick in the senior squad for this summer’s UEFA European Championship. 

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Since making his league debut for Rennes in November 2015, his rise has been meteoric. Dembele has now scored 10 goals in only 15 starts and four substitute appearances. To put that in context, only one Ligue 1 player with a goal tally in double figures has scored at a superior rate—Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The teenager is now the youngest player to have accumulated 10 goals in the French top flight.

Dembele’s composed finishing is a noteworthy aspect of his game. However, there’s more to him than that. He’s also a creator, as demonstrated by his stunning assist for Giovanni Sio in his last run-out for Rennes.

On that occasion, Dembele showcased blistering speed as well as outstanding awareness. Comparisons with the likes of Thierry Henry and Anthony Martial are somewhat inevitable: like that high-profile pair, the youngster seems to possess an ability to take his time even when moving at high speed. He sprints away from his markers at outrageous velocity, yet his decision-making is invariably excellent.

Wenger would like his versatility. Dembele has played a variety of roles for Rennes this season, including stints on both flanks and as a central striker. He’s even played as a conventional No. 10, demonstrating the trust in his burgeoning talent.

Were he to move to England, the likelihood is he’d continue his education on the wing—the same path Henry followed before becoming a devastatingly effective striker.

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His potential is huge. Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre, who acts as Rennes’ presidential adviser, has been quoted in the Guardian as saying Dembele could one day emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and be named on the Ballon d’Or Shortlist.

Dembele will have his pick of clubs should be choose to move on this summer. However, if Arsenal want to win his signature, Wenger must first win the heart and mind of his mother, Fatimata.

Dembele’s agent Badou Sambague admitted to Ed Aarons of the Guardian: “She is who will decide Ousmane’s future. When he wanted to leave last summer, his mother told him she wanted him to stay at Rennes and sign his first professional contract. In the end he had no choice.”

There are those among the Arsenal fans who feel Wenger should not be in charge beyond the summer. However, if he is, there will be few more convincing suitors than the veteran Frenchman. He has the experience and expertise to convince Dembele—and his mother—that he could prosper in north London.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.