‘Infectious’: BBC pundit blown away by midfielder who rejected Arsenal

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Garth Crooks has raved about Everton midfielder Amadou Onana, a player who reportedly rejected Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, as quoted on BBC Sport.

Onana played well for Everton in their win against Arsenal at Goodison Park in the Premier League this past weekend.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder was a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the park and impressed Arsenal-supporting talkSPORT pundit and former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent.

Onana was arguably the best player on the pitch, as the Belgium international midfielder drove his Everton side forward and also protected the backline.

The youngster set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the first half for a great chance as well.

Onana was strongly linked with Arsenal in the January transfer window, but the midfielder rejected the current Premier League leaders.

According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs in CaughtOffSide, Arsenal wanted to sign Onana as a potential alternative to Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Jacobs added that the youngster made it clear to the Gunners that he was not interested in leaving the Toffees in the middle of the season.

The Daily Mail claimed that Arsenal were exploring a move for the 21-year-old defensive midfielder as a potential alternative to Caicedo.

Journalist Sacha Tavolier reported that Arsenal were trying to sign Onana following the departure of Frank Lampard from Everton.

Former Tottenham forward Crooks has included Onana in his BBC Premier League Team of the Week and has raved about him.

Praise for Arsenal target and Everton star Amadou Onana

Crooks wrote: “It’s been some time since an Everton player got into my team of the week – and we have two after this weekend. I’ve had lots to say about their poor performances and managers – but no selections.

“Against Arsenal I could have picked any of their midfielders, both full-backs and their two central defenders, such was their performance.

“However, it was Onana who seemed to get the blood pumping among Evertonians as he took the game to the Gunners.

“His passion, determination and willingness to cover every blade of grass was infectious. What a pity former manager Frank Lampard saw very little of that.”