Arsenal are reported to have been convinced to drop the plan for Lyon winger Malick Fofana joining them ahead of the deadline by defender Mikel Arteta, who joined Sunderland instead.
Since the summer when Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard left, Arsenal has been recruiting on offense. Fofana was one of the later options and it was suggested that sporting director Andrea Berta helped to explore a deal.
But it reportedly wasn’t the case for Arteta with the Belgian winger as the Rodgers manager had misgivings about him in that regard. The Arsenal manager asked if Fofana had enough quickness to switch gears to the pace and rigour of the top-flight standard, said GOAL.
Arsenal were also believed to be thinking of entering into a loan deal as opposed to dealing a permanent move. Arteta was “appealingly” hesitant to sign someone if there were any doubts they were able to contribute from the first.
The final move resulted in Fofana being available for any other clubs in the Premier League. Just a few minutes into the deadline chase on the day, Sunderland clinched the victory after an incredible transfer deal with Crystal Palace, while both sides were racing to take the winger.
According to reports Fofana eventually agreed terms with Sunderland on deal valued at about £31 million with possible add-ons. His transfer choice showed just how dynamic Arsenal’s transfer plans were on the day of their deadlines.
Nevertheless, for Arteta, the move seems to be the immediate answer to a tried-and-tested type of deal; if he would manage to find someone that would mesmerize Arsenal, he would undoubtedly pitch in as a result of that talent.However, for Arteta, the move seems to be just about ‘who’, not ‘why’; if he could find someone with ‘magic’, that is who would suit his style, he would certainly have gone on the field as a result of that ‘magic’.
But it’s not as though the Gunners needed more attacking power as they finished the window without Fofana. It is up to decide if Arteta’s safeness is warranted to be right or wrong as the season unfolds.
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