Arsenal are claimed to have agreed a deal with Bologna which will see Aaron Hickey join the club this summer.
The Gunners agreed a deal last summer to bring Takehiro Tomiyasu in from the same side last summer, a move which looked to be a masterstroke before he moved to miss much of the campaign through injury, and we now look to have returned to Italy to sign a player to fill a role on the opposite side of the defence.
Hickey made a bold move by leaving Scotland to join the Rossoblu shortly after his 18th birthday, having already earned his place a regular in the Heart of Midlothian side, and he has really come into his own this season.
It was a little bit of a slow opening year for him in Italy with limited playing time in the first-team, but he has really showed his worth to the side since the summer, and a number of top clubs have been linked with his signature. It is Arsenal however who are claimed to have agreed a deal with his current side, with Bologna director Riccardo Bigon claimed by CalcioNapoli24 (via Football.Italia) to have come to London this weekend to carve out terms.
I can’t help but feel excited about this potential signing, with his arrival likely to signal an end to Nuno Tavares‘s hopes of playing a role for us next season. I imagine the Portuguese will be allowed to leave on loan in order to try and build on the raw potential that he possesses, but Hickey looks like he will be the more complete player, similarly to Kieran Tierney.
Would you cash-in on Tavares this summer, or is here more to come from him in the future? Could we keep three options for the role next term with the added European football?
Patrick
I’d keep Tavares and have the coaching staff do their job FFS and teach him to defend. A novel concept I know, coaches that coach, so do your jobs and develop the players.
Not expecting miracles, but doesn’t the coaching staff bear some responsibility here? Some accountability along with the player?
I’m not referring to Arteta, but the other coaches here, only players get called out? Coaching staff gets free passes? Is no one tasked with their improvement?
Keep Tavares and Hickey, let Cedric go. Rip up contract, no big deal.
To my understanding, he’s very versatile, so not necessarily a replacement for anyone in particular. He also looks to be a very good player in general.
Well if he is good or almost as good as Tomi get the deal done and send Tavares on a season long loan immediately.
If we got to CL then probably loan Tavares.
If it is Europa then Tavares may get a lot of chances and we have to keep him and assist him develop.
I have the feeling, that playing as a winger or wingback suits him better.
He can be Saka’ backup if Arsenal sold Pepe.
Very similar to Tierney
He plays right back and left back so well
I think against juventus he played right back and was at left back against Roma both matches he was very good.. he seems to be a less experienced version of Tierney
Tavares can make a good winger.. Let the coaches take advantage of his strengths..
Arteta is not the type of coach who can convert a player to adopt a new position or even to alternate players. A good example is Pepe who possesses good qualities but is permanently on the bench. Surely there are other matches he can start. Other managers alternate players to keep them match fit. Leno is another example.
Tavares has a lot of potential energy and waiting to explode. He needs to get more experience and confidence. On loan is fine but selling him could be a mistake.
I love Aeron Hickey and I’m excited about his potential move, Tavares needs a loan move 💯 in my opinion particularly in championship clubs to tidy up his erratic nature of the game, I will love to see him develop and play for us in the near future.