5 Players Arsenal Should Target from Euro 2016
It’s infamously difficult for clubs to scout at an international tournament. With the eyes of the world fixed on a select few players, a handful of good performances can mean a hugely inflated price tag. Nevertheless, there have certainly been some players at Euro 2016 who will have caught Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s eye.
Wenger has been in France on media duties, regularly attending games. It’s almost certain that from his lofty position in the stands he has been analysing the talent on show, pondering whether any of the players he’s seen could be a useful addition to Arsenal this summer.
There have, of course, been several notable performers who already represent the Gunners. Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud have been among the surprise stars of the summer. However, it’s potential signings that will be giving Wenger pause. He knows he must strengthen his squad ahead of what’s likely to be a highly competitive 2016/17 campaign.
Although Arsenal have already secured the signing of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, they still need several other additions to the squad.
Some of the tournament’s most impressive players will prove out of reach. For example, Antoine Griezmann has just signed a new contract at Atletico Madrid (h/t SkySports). In this piece, we'll identify five players who’ve shone in France and could be a useful addition to Arsenal this summer.
Alvaro Morata
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Arsenal’s greatest need for a new signing is at the centre forward position. With Danny Welbeck sidelined with another long-term knee injury, Arsene Wenger needs a new striker to supplement Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott. Ideally, this new forward would do more than simply make up the numbers—it’s a position Arsenal have sought to upgrade for some time.
Spain’s Alvaro Morata reportedly figures among their targets. He has already moved this summer, rejoining Real Madrid after they activated a buy-back clause in his contract with Juventus. According to James Olley of the Evening Standard, the Gunners are now hoping to prise him away from the Bernabeu:
"Arsenal are ready to lock horns with Chelsea in a battle to sign Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid but the European champions must lower their £57million asking price … Karim Benzema remains Real’s first-choice striker and Morata could decide his future lies elsewhere if he is not given assurances over regular first-team action.
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It’s difficult to envisage Arsenal spending £57 million on any one player, but if Wenger can coerce Madrid to reassess their valuation, he’d certainly be interested in a player with Morata’s obvious potential. He scored three goals during Euro 2016 to cement his place as his country’s first-choice forward. Perhaps he could soon be in line to do the same at the Emirates Stadium.
Ragnar Sigurdsson
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If Iceland’s progress to the quarter-finals was the most thrilling story of Euro 2016, Ragnar Sigurdsson was its star. The 30-year-old defender put together a string of outstanding performances to marshall a defence that appeared rock solid until it came up against an irrepressible France side.
Sigurdsson currently plays in the Russian Premier League with FC Krasnodar. Unsurprisingly, his displays in France have won interest from England. Ed Aarons of the Guardian reports:
"Tottenham and Leicester are among several Premier League clubs interested in signing Ragnar Sigurdsson after his impressive displays for Iceland in their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, although they face competition from two German sides for the central defender.
Sigurdsson, who is under contract with the Russian side Krasnodar until the summer of 2018, has been a star performer in France and was man of the match in the 2-1 victory against England in the last 16 on Monday after scoring the equaliser and producing a commanding performance at the heart of Iceland’s defence.
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Arsenal may well need a centre-half: Per Mertesacker was dropped at the back end of last season, and Brazilian Gabriel Paulista failed to convince as his replacement.
The Guardian believe Sigurdsson would cost around €5 million (£4.3 million), which seems like a bargain for a defender with his ability to marshall a back four. The one barrier to Wenger’s interest might be Sigurdsson’s age—the Arsenal boss tends to prefer signing younger players.
Ricardo Rodriguez
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A new left-back could be on Arsene Wenger’s agenda this summer. Although Nacho Monreal was excellent in the position last season, he isn’t getting any younger—and Wenger appears to have lost some faith in his back-up full-back, Kieran Gibbs. Gibbs started just three Premier League games last season and only one of those was in his preferred position at left-back.
If Wenger wants someone who can provide immediate competition for Monreal and can afford him the opportunity to rotate, Ricardo Rodriguez could be a good option. The Swiss defender was in typically impressive form at the Euros, and Arsenal are now being linked with a bid.
Rory Brigstock-Barron of the Daily Mail noted Arsenal’s interest and quoted Wolfsburg director Klaus Allofs as telling German paper Blick: “Rici has stated that his future is not with us. But we can live with this decision”.
That will be music to Arsenal’s ears. Rodriguez would be a tremendous addition, and his arrival could also help fellow Swiss Granit Xhaka to settle.
Ivan Perisic
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Ivan Perisic made headlines at Euro 2016 for two main reasons: his colourful hairstyle and his memorable winning goal against Spain for Croatia in the group stages.
With such eye-catching antics and similarly notable looks, it’s no surprise he has caught the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs. According to talkSPORT, Arsenal are among the interested parties:
"Arsenal are keeping tabs on Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic.
The winger has been lighting up Euro 2016 … The Gunners are in need of a new winger this summer as the future of Theo Walcott remains unclear.
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Arsene Wenger’s interest would make sense. Last season, only Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud reached double figures in the scoring charts. A goalscoring winger would be a terrific addition.
The main obstacle will be the fact that Perisic has only spent one season with Inter Milan. The Italian club will be eager to hold on to him for some time yet.
Julian Draxler
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Could now be the time for Arsenal to go back for Julian Draxler?
Way back in October 2014, Neil Moxley of the Mirror reported that Arsenal were sending scouts to Schalke to check on the attacking midfielder’s progress. Since then, he’s moved on to Wolfsburg. But it appears Arsene Wenger is still keeping tabs on him.
Prior to Euro 2016, Wenger told Japanese TV (h/t the Metro): “It will be very interesting as well to follow what Draxler is doing, he’s still a very young player”.
After Draxler’s brilliant display against Slovakia in this summer’s tournament, Wenger must surely be pondering reiterating his interest in the athletic German.
