One of the players Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been scouting is Xavi Simons, and Gunners legend Ian Wright has been hugely impressed by what he saw from him in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Xavi Simons is one of the best young players in Europe and has been playing regular first-team football for a while now.
Arsenal scouting Xavi Simons
HITC revealed in January 2024 that Arsenal are scouting Xavi Simons, who is on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain at the moment.
We reported that the Gunners watched Simons in action for Leipzig against Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
The 20-year-old playmaker is on loan at Leipzig from PSG at the moment. The Netherlands international, who can also play as a winger, joined the German club in the summer of 2023.
Ian Wright impressed
Simons was in action for Leipzig against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in midweek. Although Madrid won the Round of 16 tie over two legs, Arsenal legend Ian Wright was hugely impressed with the display put in by the 20-year-old.
Wright said about Simons on the Wrighty’s House podcast: “Can we talk Champions League? Can I say watching Xavi Simons against Real Madrid, Leipzig versus Real Madrid, was kind of like a coming out parade in respects of a performance from someone.
“He was brilliant. He was brilliant to watch. Unbelievable. And, we are talking about someone who is on loan from PSG to Leipzig, and he is getting the chance to play against arguably one of the greatest teams in the world, Real Madrid, and playing like that. He is 20, going there and putting in (a performance like that). He is on their radar, massively.”
The youngster took three shots and one was on target, played four key passes, had a pass accuracy of 92.3%, took 61 touches, attempted three dribbles, and put in seven crosses.
Simons has made 23 appearances in the Bundesliga this season. The attacking midfielder has scored six goals and given eight assists in those games.
The Netherlands international scored two goals and gave two assists in seven starts and one substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League this campaign.
It will be interesting to see if Arsenal try to sign Simons in the summer transfer window. I do not think that PSG will be open to selling the Netherlands international playmaker.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
