Jack Grealish (Getty Images)
According to Express, journalist and avid Arsenal fan Piers Morgan feels that the club should sign Jack Grealish in case they can somehow offload Mesut Ozil. The Aston Villa captain has been the subject of interest for a certain few clubs after his performances over the last season. Manchester United were keen on his services but eventually balked at the player’s valuation.
The 25-year-old English attacking midfielder started his youth career at Aston Villa back in 2001. He spent the next decade there, progressing through the youth sides. Finally, during the 2013-14 season, he was promoted to the first-team but was soon sent out on loan to Notts County. He played a total of 39 games for them, scoring 5 goals and assisting 7.
After his loan spell, he returned to Villa Park and has established himself as an important part of the team. He stuck with Villa when they were relegated to the Championship and spent three seasons playing there.
In 2018-19, he helped Villa secure promotion to the Premier League and he was rewarded with the club captaincy. He was a vital part of Villa’s return to the Premier League as he fought tooth and nail to make sure Aston Villa remained in the top-flight.
His stats for Villa read as 195 games, 30 goals and 36 assists (h/t Transfermarkt). A stellar season meant that he was called up to the national team and made his debut against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
Mikel Arteta has done some admirable work in the last one year he has been at the helm for Arsenal. The club looks a much better side than what they did under Unai Emery. The signings have been on point and the gameplay also looks more fluid.
However, there still remains an area where the Gunners are still struggling. The lack of a creative playmaker is hurting the club in games where the opposition sit deep and play a low block.
Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are a good duo in midfield but they are both defensive in nature and lack the ability to play that killer final ball that can evade the opposition defence. While the club do have Mesut Ozil, he has been excluded from the team for a while now and it does not look like he might play another game for the team.
Piers Morgan made a good point when he said that Arsenal should sign a player like Jack Grealish. The Villa captain was again at the heart of a wonderful performance that left Arsenal tottering prior to the international break. Arsenal struggled to get the ball to their forwards as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cut a lonesome figure in the final third.
Grealish is one player that can single-handedly change that. He has been doing that for Villa over the last couple of seasons and has continued on his merry ways this season too.
Arsenal should heed Morgan’s advice and look to make a move for Grealish who has been in sublime form. While a lot of that would depend on getting Mesut Ozil off their books, this is one deal that they should pursue.