Carlos Vela should not be the Real Sociedad player Arsenal want, it should be Antoine Griezmann.
Last night gave Arsenal fans a chance to see one of the men who they let go in recent years in action against Manchester United – the player in question, Carlos Vela.
The Mexican arrived in north London amid much hype, but in the end he never truly made the grade at Arsenal – and they let him go to Real Sociedad for a nominal fee last summer.
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It was a move that was made to look foolish last season, as Vela starred in a Sociedad side who finished fourth in La Liga – and went on to qualify for the Champions League.
So many a Gunner fan was hoping to see him in top form for the Basque club last night.
But he really wasn’t. Playing from the wide right, he seemed largely anonymous for most of the game, and this was certainly not him at his La Liga best.
In fact, the player on the other flank looked far more dangerous – Antoine Griezmann.
Which brings me to my point … should Arsenal have their eyes on him instead?
First of all, do they even need Vela?
I am pretty sure he is an unnecessary acquirement, although the buy-back clause must be a tempting price.
Arsenal fans react on Twitter to Carlos Vela performance at Manchester United
But one Area arsenal lack a different dimension is out on the left wing. Yes Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski can play there – but neither are genuine wide-men.
The likes of Santi Cazorla can as well, but they have no out-and-out left-footed wide-men – I mean, have you seen Jack Wilshere play out wide.
The likes of Wilshere, Cazorla, Podolski and co are all better through the middle of the park, but a wide-out must be a consideration.
Griezmann could be the perfect man for the job.
Young, skilful, fast and ambitious, he is also French – which history shows is a benefit when signing for Arsenal.
Manchester United are said to be keen, as are Italian side Juventus, but Arsenal might want to consider rivalling both clubs for his signature this summer.
Could Griezmann do a job at The Emirates?
image: © Carlos RM
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