Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were interested in signing Emerson Royal before he moved to Nuno’s Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Athletic.
What’s the story?
Tottenham signed Emerson from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
The transfer was completed on transfer deadline day.
On the same day, Arsenal completed the signing of Japan international right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna.
The Athletic have reported that the Gunners looked at signing Emerson from Barcelona before they secured the services of Tomiyasu.
Arsenal did hold talks over bringing the 22-year-old Brazil international right-back to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners’ ‘recruitment staff’ were ‘struck by a physical profile that seemed tailor-made for the Premier League’.
However, according to the report, coaching staff were ‘concerned’ that the youngster would not fit the system.
So, Arsenal decided not to pursue Emerson and signed Tomiyasu instead.
Emerson Royal v Takehiro Tomiyasu
It will be interesting to see how Emerson and Tomiyasu get on at Tottenham and Arsenal respectively.
Both are internationals and both are 22 years of age.
Tomiyasu can actually play as a central defender as well, so the Japan international will give Arsenal manager Arteta another option.
Spurs have won all three of their Premier League games so far this season, while Arsenal have lost all three.
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