In a season where all the talk has been about Leicester achieving the unthinkable, Arsenal fans cannot help but look back and think why the players did not manage to capitalise on the ‘Top Four’s’ failings this year. What is it that Leicester have got, that Arsenal do not? What could have helped Arsenal achieve so much more this season? Could N’Golo Kante be one of many reasons?
N’Golo Kante has been one of the most reviewed players of the season, achieving nominations for PFA player awards as well as featuring in the Premier League team of the season. Kante has been a brick wall for Leicester this season, a real interceptor and he has the fight and drive in a player that Arsenal really could have done with this year!
With silly season just around the corner for transfer rumours as the Domestic Leagues begin to come to a close, Kante to Arsenal has been a headline popping up more than a few times. Arsenal’s very own Media Watch has highlighted various rumours of Kante to Arsenal over the past few days, including articles in the Express , Mirror and Star and there certainly could be some smoke in the fire with these rumours.
N’Golo Kante was only recruited by Leicester at the start of the season and was a relatively unknown star waiting to be born. Playing for Caen in the French Division, Leicester scouts spotted a type of player that the Gunners have been on the search for, for a number of years. It’s actually surprising with Arsene Wenger’s commitment to the French League’s (although lesser so in recent seasons) that a gem like Kante was not scouted on the books by the Gunners, however now according to the growing rumours, Arsenal may have a chance of nabbing the French International after all.
The rumours have suggested that Kante has a release clause of £20 million, a price tag that will be interesting a lot of clubs this summer and certainly one that Arsenal should look towards paying. As with fellow Leicester player, Riyad Mahrez, although Leicester have achieved great things this season, many of the players may be looking to leave the club with the belief that it is quite possible the unthinkable will be achieved twice in succession. Therefore with the big clubs circling across Europe, if the release clause is true, then Kante will have a big decision to make about his future and he’d be a perfect fit in Arsenal’s midfield.
The Gunners have being calling out for a defensive midfielder ever since the days of Gilberto and a player with the strength and passion of Vieira. Arsenal had thought they had found their man in Francis Coquelin last season, who in turn had his own fairytale season, but this year he has not impressed overall to the same capacity and with the addition of Elneny to the side, Coquelin has lost his place in a compact midfield. Kante possesses the qualities Arsenal players should have in passion, fight and drive. Coquelin holds these qualities as well and is also a fantastic interceptor of the ball on his day. However with Arteta and Flamini soon out of contract and seemingly on their way out of the club this summer there is room for another defensive minded midfielder.
Kante could be that man, he holds all the right player traits and desire to achieve success. Kante seems like a player that likes to keep his head down and just get the job done and although it is going to be a battle to get him away from Leicester City in the first place as well as to fend off the challenges from other clubs, if Arsenal is looking for a defensive midfielder this summer to replace the outgoings, then Kante should definitely be a top priority.
Ashley