OPINION
Arsenal fans will surely be excited after forgotten Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco confirmed that he has received contact from the Gunners and is entertaining the thought of a move back to Europe.
The 25-year-old moved from Atletico Madrid to Dalian Yifang in February last year, and has scored seven goals in nine appearances for the Chinese side.
Speaking to The Sun, Carrasco said that while a move was not possible in January, he is thinking of departing China this summer.
“There was interest from Arsenal and I had a lot of teams in January giving me the chance to go back to Europe, but here the president said it was difficult to go then,” the winger said.
“Maybe this summer it is possible. If it is a good thing and I want to go, maybe I can speak with the president. With the national team I play as a winger, but also I can play in behind. England would be a good competition for me. I think I would be OK.
“If I have the opportunity to go to England, why not?”
Arsenal fans will surely have reason to get excited about this. It is clear from Carrasco’s quotes that the Gunners wanted him in January, so there is every reason to suspect that the winger is still on Unai Emery’s radar.
And why not. Before his move to China, Carrasco was considered one of the finest attacking talents in Europe, with the stats backing it up.
In the 2016/17 season, the Belgian scored 14 goals and laid on five others for teammates in 53 appearances for Atletico, while in the first half of last season, he scored three goals and registered four assists in 17 La Liga appearances.
What’s even more exciting for Arsenal fans is that he seems willing to entertain a move to the Premier League, saying that he would be “ok” in the English top flight.
Based on his previous exploits at Atletico, there is every reason to suggest that he would fit right in at Arsenal, with the club needing attacking support after the departure of Danny Welbeck.
Carrasco may have gone off the radar in the last season and a half, but Arsenal fans will surely be hoping he comes back on it this summer with a move away from China.