Arsenal might have identified the perfect player to satisfy their long for creativity in the middle of the park with Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia.
The Argentine has been a revelation since joining Norwich City in the Championship from Getafe in the summer of 2018, winning the English Championship and hence, gained promotion to the top-flight while displaying some remarkable performances.
The former Getafe man had contributed to 20 goals in 38 Championship appearances in the 2018-19 season, eight goals, 12 assists, and was voted third best player at the club in the ending of the season awards.
Unfortunately, the 24 year old and Norwich went down in their first season in the Premier League as toothless Norwich City were relegated back to the Championship. However, Buendia did made his mark as his 83 chances created was only bettered by Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander Arnold who plays in a better team than the 24 year old.
In the current campaign, playing in the Championship with Norwich, Emiliano Buendia has recorded seven goals and same number of assists in 19 appearances, and has created 62 chances, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Arsenal, who have recently turn things around after a run of poor performances, which saw them play seven league games without a win and struggled to score goals, were able to return to form by playing 20 year old Emile Smith Rowe as their No.10.
The decision to banish Mesut Ozil really did hurt them as it only takes a player like Emile Smith Rowe to return them to winning ways. It makes one think where they would have been, had they have a creative No. 10 since they day one of the season.
Emile Smith Rowe has also been a revelation since given a chance, the Arsenal Academy graduate has a chance creation every 34 minutes spent on the pitch, and has created 11 chances in just 374 minutes.
With the platform set at Arsenal, if they could get Emiliano Buendia, who is a better player compared to Emile Smith Rowe, the best might be yet to come for a team that has been on and off in recent season in the league.
Arsenal have also been out of the UEFA Champions league in recent years and needed to win the FA Cup before making it to this season’s Europa league.
Signing Emiliano Buendia, who is young, Premier League proven and a cheaper option considering he plays in the Championship, will be a total steal and a signing, which might complete Arteta’s rebuild, where young players will dominate, thus ensuring longevity of a talented squad.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
