The Bosnian international defender Saed Kolasinac was a surprise acquisition by Arsene Wenger when he arrived in June on a Bosman transfer from Schalke04, even though he had been named in the’ Bundesliga team of the season’.
But Arsenal fans were even more pleasantly surprised when the wing-back took the Premiership by storm – and was quickly nicknamed the Tank for his aggressive barn-storming runs at the opposition in his his first few games. He even won two ‘PlayerOfTheMonth’ awards, but his form seemed to taper off and he was recently dropped for a few games in favour of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Wenger explained Kolasinac’s absence by saying that he had changed the formation. “He is highly suited for a wing-back role, for a more offensive role,” he said. “I think he will play again and I gave him a breather as well. He is working hard and I think he will play in a back four, as well.” Personally I think it is more to do with ‘giving him a breather’, as Kolasinac will have been used to having a mid-season break in Germany.
But Saed returned to the side against Palace and I think that he had a very good game after his rest, and he has now given his assessment on his first six months. “It’s been an exciting year,” Kolasinac told Arsenal Player. “This was the year I joined Arsenal, which was exciting for me. In general, I think it’s been a very positive year. What’s most important is that you’re healthy, which I was over the course of the year. I hope that will be the same in 2018.
“I’m sure it was my best year at Schalke, too. I’m very satisfied with how things have gone here too, but I know there’s still more to achieve and that I have more potential. I hope that I can utilise that in 2018.
“Before I was here, I played in a 0-0 draw in the derby between Dortmund and Schalke. I cleared a shot off the line and that will stay in my memory. Also, 2017 was the year I got my first dog, who I have at home with me now.”
I’m not sure what the dog has to do with it, but let’s find out what the fans think of Kolasinac’s first six months. Was he a good signing?
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