Arsenal might have anticipated a pretty straightforward draw in the Europa League Round of 16 against Rennes but a shocking 3-1 defeat in the first leg in France has put the north London giants on the verge of an early exit from Europe’s second-tier club competition.
The Gunners still have a chance of overturning the deficit in the reverse leg at the Emirates to progress to the last 8 but they probably won’t take things for granted this time around.
While it has to be said that Arsenal played poorly in the 3-1 defeat, Rennes deserve all the credit in the world for pulling off a major upset. It was a wonderful team effort from the French side but one man who stood out with his outstanding performance was none other than the 21-year-old Senegalese winger Ismaila Sarr.
Currently one of the most sought after young talents in Europe, Sarr is not an unfamiliar name to the Arsenal fans as the Gunners have been linked with the pacy and skilful winger several times prior to the January transfer window (h/t Express).
Arsenal were in the transfer market in January solely for loan signings due to lack of funds and they couldn’t strike a deal for the youngster, but any doubts that the Gunners might have had regarding Sarr’s talent should now be removed.
The Gunners have shown plenty of promise in their first season under Unai Emery but a overhaul of the squad is required in the summer if they are to start challenging for silverware. While they need to bring in radical reinforcements at the back, right-wing is an area which is in dire need of some investment.
Both Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have struggled for consistency and it is high time that Arsenal offload some of their underperforming stars to accommodate fresh faces. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has done well occasionally playing out wide on the right but Arsenal need an explosive winger with an eye for goal.
To put things into perspective, Ismaila Sarr, with his blistering pace, quality and sharpness on the ball, agility, acceleration and goal scoring ability, should be an ideal signing for Arsenal.
Sarr excels with his silky dribbling skills and quick changes of direction, running at his opposite number with his directness, drawing fouls and creating chances with accurate balls into the box.
Although he is most effective in one-on-one situations, the 21-year-old knows how to create his own space with clever turns. When deployed on the left, Sarr often tends to cut inside with his stronger right foot where he either tees off one of his teammates or has a shot on goal himself if the opportunity presents itself.
He has been in tremendous form for Rennes this season, accumulating 10 goals and 11 assists from 38 appearances in all competitions, figures which should be enough to tempt Arsenal into making a move for him.
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Ismaila Sarr has the potential of becoming a stalwart like his fellow countryman Sadio Mane and a move to Arsenal will allow him to culture his raw talent. Sarr’s presence will undoubtedly make Arsenal a more formidable attacking force, and that said, they should make the Senegalese international their No.1 target in the summer.