Arsenal opinion: Unai Emery should sign Dennis Praet
According to the Metro (h/t Sampnews24), Dennis Praet has been linked with a move to Arsenal in this transfer window.
The Belgian midfielder is a very promising number 10 and is a low-risk signing. The Gunners have tabled a £44m bid to sign the Belgian.
Praet was tipped for big things when he made his Belgium debut four years ago, but his progress has been more gradual than expected after leaving Anderlecht for Sampdoria in 2016.
He is very strong on the ball, always looking to pick up the ball in tight areas, and has an eye for the final pass.
The 23-year-old can occasionally hold on to it for too long instead of looking for an early pass. He displays a great work ethic, however, ready to track back which will be ideal for a manager like Unai Emery who prioritises a lot of pressing in his teams.
Praet will be coming to a club that has always tried to play football the right way and he is a player whose profile suits the club. Arsenal will be hoping that Praet can link up with his former teammate Lucas Torreira and can continue their partnership since their Sampdoria days.
The Serie A is a fantastic league but it lacks the intensity of the Premier League and it might take time for Praet to settle down and might only start games later in the season in a manner similar to Lucas Torreira. Unai Emery made certain that Torreira wasn’t rushed into the squad.
Sampdoria are known for helping nurture and educate young players. We only have to look at Milan Skriniar and Mauro Icardi, two of the very best players in the Serie A to appreciate Sampdoria’s younger players and what one can expect from Praet.
With Aaron Ramsay having already left the club and Mesut Ozil clearly not being a favourite under Unai Emery, Praet can come in as a potential starter and shouldn’t worry too much about game time at a big club like Arsenal.
The Belgian will take inspiration from the likes of other great Belgian players who have made their name in the Premier League in recent years.
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Conclusion
Arsenal are heading into a new era at the club after seeing Arsene Wenger leave after 22 years and will hope that they can give the fans something to cheer about after another frustrating campaign.