Premier League challengers Arsenal reportedly turned down the chance to bring Bennacer back to the Emirates before he joined Serie A giants AC MIlan.
It’s no secret that Ismael Bennacer is fond of a tackle.
He picked up seven yellow cards in Serie A for Empoli last season before being named Player of the Tournament at the African Cup of Nations thanks to his ferocious performances at the heart of a technically gifted Algeria midfield.
But if Bennacer wants to prove that he belongs at the very top level, learning how to time those challenges effectively is key. He produced a performance full of character during AC Milan’s 3-1 defeat at home to Fiorentina on Sunday but it was he who gave away not one but two penalties as the Rossoneri collapsed on home soil.
This is now Milan’s worst start to a Serie A season for 81 years.
So on this evidence, Arsenal fans might not be too concerned after The Gunners decided against triggering the £14.4 million buy-back clause in the contract of a player who spent two years at the Emirates between 2015 and 2017, as reported by The Guardian.
Arsenal already have an erratic, card-collecting midfielder in the shape of Granit Xhaka after all and Bennacer clearly still has a lot to learn.
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