Nigel Winterburn warns Arsenal not to sign impressive Premier League ace

Former Arsenal star, Nigel Winterburn, says they don’t need to buy Yves Bissouma because they have more than enough options in midfield.

He believes that the former Lille man will be on the bench at the Emirates because their current midfielders are better.

Winterburn has been impressed by the early performance of Albert Sambi Lokonga and he expects the Belgian to keep shining and that means Bissouma cannot bench him at Arsenal.

The Malian has been a long-term target of the Gunners who looked to sign him in the last transfer window.

He remains one of the Premier League’s best players in his position and several other clubs want him.

Winterburn doubts if he would make a meaningful impact if he joins a bigger club.

The ex-Gunner maintains he would sit on the bench at Arsenal, although he admitted that the Seagulls star is full of confidence.

“I’ve seen Yves Bissouma play quite a few times. He is a good player, but I don’t think I’ve ever been confident enough to come out and make that bold of a statement about a player,” Nigel said as quoted by Transfermarketweb.

“Bissouma probably won’t go to Arsenal, given who they have signed, unless the club wants to change things up further.

“I’ve been impressed with Albert Sambi Lokonga. Lokonga will be superb given what we’ve seen so far. Arsenal has Thomas Partey too. Do they need another player there? Potentially, but then he’d be fighting for the position.

“Is Bissouma even big or good enough for a top four team? Looking at the current top four, he’d find himself on the bench a fair amount. One thing that is in his favour though is he has no shortage in self-confidence.”

Tags Nigel Winterburn Yves Bissouma

14 Comments

  1. what a ridiculous comment by Nigel…the only player he’s currently not a better option than is Partey, who’s been incredibly injury-prone since his arrival in North London

  2. He’s right. Have watched Bissouma play several times and don’t see anything special about him that make fans yearn for him. It’s rather strange beyond belief

    1. I believe you have the eyes , yet you failed to see the reality . I’m so sure you’d be Xhaka above Yves . Blessed be goodness for not making every fan a football coach better still a football Manager .

    2. With respect, if you cannot see the talent Bissouma possesses , you really are unaware of the skills needed to be a top class professional footballer.In tandem with Partey he would form an excellent central midfield which would be as good as any in the EPL.

  3. I would like to see all clubs have a minimum of at least 12 home grown players in our 25 man squad.
    Chelsea played with 11 foreign players at the weekend. When does the madness end?
    I believe we should aim for a 6 HG 5 import ratio on the park at all times in all games.

    1. nothing like leaning into the choir FF…the PL’s pursuit of foreign players is what has made it the greatest League on earth, which is why instead of mandating HG minimum requirements, the English footballing bodies should up the ante when it comes to their developmental programs…so surprising considering some of your “old school” political takes, under your previous namesake, that you would side with anything other than a full-blown meritocracy

  4. I remember Fabrizio said Yves was an option but the Arsenal management see him and Partey as same players with same abilities.

    Imagine Yves and Partey in front of our new back 4, teams will find it difficult to beat us!!!

  5. I agree with Nigel. Lokonga will prove a capable deputy to Partey.
    What we need is a proper No.8 – a ball-carrying, sharp-shooting, two-footed, box-to-box player in place of Elneny. We haven’t had one since Ramsey.

    1. you do realize that Bissouma was originally positioned farther up the pitch before Brighton converted him into a more deep-lying MD for obvious formational/tactical purposes

  6. I think Bissouma would be an upgrade on both Elneny and Lokonga. I think these two are good for the Cup matches, and possibly later on in the season, against the lower level EPL teams.

    I think Lokonga himself is a good player, and will get better over time.
    However, I still think, against the better teams, having two strong defensive midfielders who can pass the ball forward is the way to go. (That is how Southgate plays in the England team).

    Xhaka is not getting any younger, or quicker, and I think the time is coming when he should move aside.

    The following team would be strong defensively, with players who can break quickly:

    Ramsdale or Leno

    Tomiyasu, White or Holding, Gabriel, Tierney

    Partey, Odegaard, Bissouma

    Saka, Aubameyang, Smith Rowe

    I fear we have missed the boat with Bissouma. I think his price will only go up and be beyond our reach next season. That is why I thought we should have bought him in this window, and gone for Ben White next year (when I believe he might well have been cheaper).

  7. Havent watched Bissouma, but if he can give performances like Mo in the Utd game away about 7 out of 10 times… then by all means get him.

  8. The entire article does not make sense. Something out of Little Britain, “Yes but, No but.” Watch Bissouma play and make up your own minds. In my opinion he would have been an excellent addition to our squad,eliminating the need for Xhaka and Elneny. Hope Party and Lokongo keep him quite on Saturday though.

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