According to Tuttosport, Arsenal could be set to launch a bid for Juventus defender Merih Demiral. The £13.5m-rated Turkish international (per TransferMarkt) is being linked with a move to North London having assisted Turkey in qualification for the European Championships next summer.
The Gunners’ defensive issues have been well documented and despite signing David Luiz this summer, there have been no signs of improvement in the heart of the defence. Rob Holding continues to work his way back to full fitness after his long-term absence but Unai Emery’s side need a solution as soon as physically possible. Do the supporters think the prospective signing of Demiral will solve their problems?
That’s an overpriced player.. it’s a waste of money
— Smoke Sultan (@i_khide) November 16, 2019
It doesn’t matter who we sign . If we cannot defend as a team it doesn’t matter who we sign. We’ve got the basics all wrong
— Olufemiogunnaike (@EveretteAmore) November 16, 2019
Would still need defensive midfielders and better tactics.
— Roger Woo (@emperorwoo) November 17, 2019
See no Matter who we bring to the team, in as much that clown is still the coach it will always end in disappointment
— Femi-Martins? (@phemmy_m8) November 16, 2019
Best tools with the worst craftsman?? What’s the point?
— GoonerFromFarFarAway (@GoonerFar) November 16, 2019
But, why are we keep on going for defenders ? We have good defenders, it’s team organization we lack and selection
— Olabisi Sam Iyiola (@princebisiiyi) November 16, 2019
If Holding is level of reference then we’re pretty much screwed
— Gonzalo Delgado (@godelgado13) November 16, 2019
What do we think?
The team’s struggles are not solely due to a lack of talent. Arsenal have some extremely talented footballers and the fact that despite Emery regularly making changes to the starting eleven – the same issues continue to haunt them suggests that the problems are likely systemic. Demiral signed for Juventus from Sassuolo in July for €18m (£15.3m).
The Turkish defender has only made one appearance in Serie A this season but there is much excitement and buzz around the talent this young man possesses. At 21-years-old, he is far from the finished article which makes you wonder whether he is the right solution for Arsenal in the immediate future.
Building for the future is key for any club and in an ideal world you would love to have all the top young talents on your books, but the reality is that unless Emery can solve this huge and ongoing issue, the Gunners risk falling further behind the pack.