Garth Crooks claims Southampton star is wasted at St Mary’s

Follow us on Google Discover

The former Juventus man was terrific for Southampton once again against West Brom, as the Saints ended their win-less run.

Speaking to the BBC, Garth Crooks has made a frank assessment regarding Southampton’s summer arrival Mario Lemina.

The Gabon international joined the South Coast club from Serie A giants Juventus, having won back-to-back domestic doubles, and he has quicky proved his quality despite playing in a struggling Southampton side.

According to Crooks, Lemina looks like the perfect fit for Arsenal, with the pundit expressing his surprise that Arsene Wenger did not rival Southampton for the youngster’s signature when he was made available prior to this season.

“This lad is playing for the wrong team. Seriously,” Crooks said, “Mario Lemina is an Arsenal player if I have ever seen one.”

For Crooks, Arsenal have been ‘faffing around’ with the likes of Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin in central midfield, with Wenger hoping that his faith will be repaid from the pair by one of them emerging as a European star.

Both Coquelin and Elneny are decent players, very much capable of top class performances on their day, however, according to Crooks they simply do not compare to the likes of Lemina.

“Lemina is wasted at St Mary’s,” Crooks continued, “[Southampton] do not have the class of player to bring the best out of this lad.”

“His performance against West Brom was immense. Admittedly, we have not seen enough performances like this, but you would if you put him in a proper outfit.”

The 24-year-old has made 19 appearances for the Saints so far this season and his been one of the shining lights in what has been a tough campaign to date.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men currently sit 15th in the table, two points from safety and still in grave danger of going down.

Should his side face the drop, there is no doubt that teams will be swooping for the former French youth international.

Arsenal just signed their own Gabon international superstar in the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, if Wenger is listening, former Tottenham man Crooks thinks they should be in for another.