Why Arsenal should avoid signing Fellaini even if he is available for free
Arsenal have been a very busy club in this summer’s transfer market. The Gunners have already completed two high-profile signings. Juventus right-back Stephan Lichsteiner has arrived at the club on a free transfer and the Gunners have also completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno for a reported £19.3million.
It is going to be exciting to see how this Arsenal squad lines up for its opening day game against Manchester City.
According to a few reports, Marouane Fellaini has emerged as shocking new target for the Gunners. The 30-year-old is out of contract with the Red Devils this summer and hasn’t yet signed a new deal yet. The big Belgian is keeping his options open and could make the move.
Fellaini joined Manchester United from Everton in 2013. The midfielder has made a total of 105 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals in that time. It was his time with the Merseyside club that helped him establish himself as one of the Premier League’s fiercest defensive midfielders. He was a powerhouse in the middle of the park, terrorising opposition midfielders and attackers.
But his time at Manchester United has seen him become more of a last resort option. When Manchester United are down, Fellaini is sent on to nick in that one long-ball that would come flying into the box. In his defense, it’s worked countless number of times. It’s got Mourinho the results he’s wanted but it doesn’t necessarily have to work at Arsenal.
Arsenal are the kind of team that like to play with the ball at their feet. With slick movements and fast circulation of the ball, the Gunners are swift on the attack. They love to keep the ball on the ground and move it faster than the opposition.
Fellaini would miserably fail in this system. It’s hard to see Fellaini pull slick one-touches and play quick short passes. Fellaini’s only strength is his ability to hold the ball even under heavy pressure. He’s also got great aerial threat and ability to control the ball and keep it down but rarely will he need to do that at Arsenal.
Arsenal have already been linked with Lucas Torreira and the Sampdoria midfielder seems a much smarter choice than Fellaini, even though the latter is available for free. They say, “You get what you pay for” and in Fellaini’s case, you get nothing.