Why Arsenal must revive their interests in Orkun Kokcu
According to Dutch football magazine Voetbal International (h/t Daily Express), Arsenal can now reignite their interest in Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu.
The report also suggests that Feyenoord are planning to sell some of their players in a bid to land their top summer target. Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s Turkish playmaker Kokcu has been earning rave reviews in Holland after his impressive displays in midfield for the Dutch side.
With three goals and six assists from 35 games overall, Kokcu has been integral to Feyenoord’s success in the league this season. They have finished third in the Eredivisie table as the season has been cancelled in the Netherlands.
It is the 19-year-old creative midfielder’s first full season as a regular after having broken into the side midway through last season.
Despite making just 11 league appearances last term, Kokcu still stood out, scoring three goals and providing four assists. Having proved his potential last term, it’s no big wonder that the £23million-rated attacking midfielder was integrated into the first-team line-up this time around.
A Feyenoord academy product, young Kokcu’s rise to the senior squad has been a rather swift one, after having made his debut as a 17-year-old in September 2018.
Since then, the Turkish talent has gone on to become a vital player for Feyenoord, making 47 appearances to date. Considering all this, it would be wise of Arsenal to once again go in pursuit of the youngster, who was on their radar back in February.
Kokcu – a good future replacement for Arsenal playmaker Ozil
Meanwhile, Arsenal have struggled, with the side staying a lowly 9th in the league this season. The Gunners have lacked creativity in their attack that has seen the side score just 40 goals from 29 league games.
The major share of this has been scored by their talismanic striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Of their 40 goals, 17 of them have come from the boots of the Gabon international.
Veteran midfielder and 2014 World Cup winner Mesut Ozil has had a horrendous campaign this time, managing just one goal and two assists in the league so far.
Other than Ozil, Arsenal do not have many attacking midfielders in their ranks and the young Kokcu could be an excellent option. His numbers are a testament to his talent. He could be an excellent future replacement for Ozil, whose contract is set to expire in 2021.
Though Joe Willock has shown promise, he is yet to become a first-team regular at the Emirates. So signing Kokcu would mean Arsenal having two talented young attacking midfielders in their ranks for the post-Ozil era.
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Verdict
It is very clear that Arsenal lack depth in the attacking midfield role, with Ozil being the side’s main playmaker. Considering the German’s poor form and age, roping in Kokcu seems like a good option. Moreover, Kocku is still young and can get better under Arteta’s guidance.
