Arsenal opinion: Should the Gunners sign Donny Van De Beek?

English news outlet Football.London has reported that Arsenal have entered the race for Ajax star Donny Van De Beek. The 22-year-old midfielder is part of the Ajax team that’s shocking the world at the moment with their performances both in the Dutch top tier and the Champions League.

They have managed to somehow beat both Real Madrid and Juventus to enter the final four of Europe’s biggest club competition. Moreover, they have done it with style, pomp and a youthful exuberance that not a single one of the other three sides have at their disposal.

However, while this is brilliant to watch, it also means that the Eredivisie giants will have a tough time next summer. Their performances this season have showcased that some of their players have the skill, will and talent to play at the highest level.

That simply means that Europe’s biggest sides will come calling, with Barcelona already making the first move for Frenkie De Jong. Barring the Barcelona-bound midfielder, the likes of David Neres (ESPN), Nicolas Tagliafico (Metro) and Donny Van De Beek have all been linked with moves away.

While Arsenal have been linked with moves for both Tagliafico
(Metro) and Neres (Sun), it’s Van De Beek that the North London side need in their squad. A versatile star, the 22-year-old is among Ajax’s best and brightest, and is good enough to handle his own among the big boys.

Van De Beek is capable of playing as either a number 6 or a number 8, which is the Aaron Ramsey spot for Arsenal. The Welshman is leaving the Emirates after a long 11-year spell with the club (Guardian).

This marks an incredible end for both the club and the player and for Arsenal, replacing him will be a tough job. Moreover, the fact that Ramsey is leaving for free further hurts the Gunners, given the current transfer economy.

That’s exactly what makes Donny Van de Beek so valuable for Arsenal, as the 22-year-old can fill the role very effectively. Furthermore, with Dusan Tadic moving further forward, Van de Beek has played as a roaming number 8 in a 4-3-3, predominantly playing in the hole/the number 10 slot.

That has allowed him to assert his creative dominance on the field, which he has done so quite effectively. However, like most youngsters, Van de Beek struggles with the defensive side of his game despite being an enthusiastic defender.

He’s more than willing to press and run around the field, making himself a menace and covering a lot of ground. It’s what makes him effectively the closest like-to-like replacement that Arsenal can get for Aaron Ramsey but with Tottenham also in the race (Football.London), it could complicate things.

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Conclusion

Arsenal need to actively start fighting for some of the best players available on the transfer market and that’s exactly why Donny Van De Beek is the perfect man to re-ignite that Arsenal dominance.

The club would a bonafide replacement for Ramsey and a partner in crime for Lucas Torriera and Matteo Guendouzi.