Scouting for Arsenal – Part 3 by Dan Smith
So the group stages are finished. Was there a hidden gem that stood out to you that could be a bargain buy? For match day 1 and 2 I picked two players who were both on the winning side.
For match day 3 I have picked a youngster who, while exiting the World Cup, won the heart of his nation.
The young talent’s name is Etebo. To be fair I could have picked any of the Nigerian midfield who were fearless against their more experienced opponents. Perhaps it was the performance of Mascherano but it was apparent how much more energetic the African’s were.
At the age of 22 the development of Etebo is one of the reasons they have for a long time earmarked 2022 as the year they become proper contenders. Give Stoke City credit for finalising this deal before he flew out to Russia. If they had waited to now his valuation would’ve gone up and there would have been many more potential buyers. Not that the big clubs won’t be scouting him in the Championship where, on this evidence, he will fit in with the physical nature of that League.
Bearing in mind he was in direct battle with Banega, someone linked with a move to Arsenal. What do you think Gooners, who was your hidden gem of match day 3?
Dan Smith