Mickael Ciani has come out in the press to straight-forwardly ask for a move to Arsenal, citing the Premier League as his clear preference.
The defender was released from his Espanyol contract after playing one match this term, after the La Liga side terminated his deal a year early, as they look to lower their wages and remove anyone outside the manager’s plans.
Ciani has now moved to talk up a potential move to England, where he has always been a fan of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, and believes he has the attributes to suit the style of play in the Premier League.
He said: “I like the football in England, the mentality. I like everything.
“I have the physique to play there. I loved Arsenal growing up and always wanted to play in England so I think it is my time to play there.
“Thierry Henry was my favourite player in the Premier League. I was watching him in every game and he was so good at Arsenal.
“I have just left Espanyol and now I am looking for a good challenge, a new one. I would like to play in England so I am waiting for a proposition. The objective is to come to England but if I have a tempting offer from France, then why not?”
Ciani may well struggle to convince Wenger that he can have an impact on his first-team squad however, especially having agreed deals for two centre-backs already this summer in Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi.
If we wanted another defender I believe that Chambers would have been kept in the squad as back-up, but we sent him out on loan, and now have five senior central defenders, as well as Bielik, Debuchy or Monreal as alternative options.
Do we need another CB?
Pat J