LEIPZIG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 08: Christopher Nkunku of Leipzig in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between RB Leipzig and Manchester United at Red Bull Arena on December 08, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Christopher Nkunku has emerged as a January target for Arsenal. The player was a target for the club during Unai Emery’s tenure. However, they opted to sign Denis Suarez instead. Reports say that the club are dealing with the Frenchman.
A product of PSG’s youth system, Nkunku made his senior professional debut in 2015 and has made a total of 78 appearances for the Ligue 1 leaders across all competitions, accumulating 11 goals and 4 assists.
He excelled under Unai Emery when the Spaniard was in charge at PSG, scoring 7 goals from 42 appearances. RB Leipzig signed him in 2019 and since then, he has settled in well at the club.
In 60 appearances for the German side, he has scored 8 goals and assisted 20 so far (source – Transfermarkt). Born in France to parents of Congolese descent, Nkunku has 24 caps under his belt for France at the youth levels. He is yet to be called up to the senior side.
From being one of the most aesthetic teams to watch in the Premier League to finding the net on just 16 occasions in 16 league games this season – Arsenal are something else now. The club are trying to scrape the bottom of the barrel and goals seem to be running dry.
The absence of Mesut Ozil is clearly being felt as the lack of creativity has been evident. They are solid defensively but they can’t seem to produce that final ball to the forward line.
A playmaker like Nkunku looks like the need of the hour for Arsenal. A player who has recorded a stunning 20 assists in 60 games should surely appeal to the club and Arteta as well. Nkunku is a versatile player too.
Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder and as a central midfielder, he has often played on the wings too. Within a season and a half in Germany, Nkunku has established himself as one of the most prolific playmakers in Europe.
It is a no-brainer for Arsenal to seriously put their efforts in signing the 23-year-old. He is everything the club needs and more. A versatile young playmaker with a proven record in top-flight? Ticks all the boxes for Arsenal.