Why Arsenal should revive their interest in Marc Roca
According to Football.London, Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca is a name that has been linked with Premier League side Arsenal in the past.
The report also claims that new Gunners boss Mikel Arteta could be tempted to go back for the 23-year-old this summer to sort out the issues in his midfield. Defensive midfielder Roca, meanwhile, has been a key player for his boyhood club Espanyol, having made his first-team debut back in 2016.
Despite his side’s struggles in the league this season, he still remains one of the highly-talented midfielders playing in the La Liga. Roca’s 116 matches to date for Espanyol is a testament to his technical ability and potential to play at the highest level.
A regular in the Espanyol squad, Roca was crucial in helping the side finish seventh last season and qualify for the Europa League. However, it hasn’t been the best of seasons for Espanyol, who on got relegated to the second division following a defeat to defending champions Barcelona last week.
Roca can solve the midfield woes at Arsenal
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have had their own problems in midfield, with the side still lying 8th in the table and nine points clear of Champions League qualification.
Though the Spaniard has brought in some stability to the side, the lack of established face in the middle has hurt them throughout this season. On-loan star Dani Ceballos has impressed since post-lockdown but he is expected to return to his parent club Real Madrid at the end of this season.
Veteran midfielder and star player Mesut Ozil, on the other hand, seems to have fallen down the pecking order under Arteta and is still finding it difficult to break into the first-team. The Gunners are also poised with the problem of young midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who has been training away from the squad recently.
With unresolved woes still brewing in the Gunners camp, it is clearly evident that the side need new faces in the midfield. That said, Arsenal have a good opportunity in hand to land the talented Roca, who has a release clause of £35.8million, for a cheaper price following his side’s relegation.
The Spanish side will now be forced to sell their star midfielder in order to raise funds to attempt a promotion back to the top-flight. Hence, Arsenal should once again revive their interest in Roca and bring him to the Emirates if they wish to climb back to the top at least next season.
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Verdict
Arsenal’s midfield woes have been evident since the start of this season and it is still something that has been left unresolved. This will hurt the side in their attempts to better their performance next season and Roca, who has proved himself at such a young age at Espanyol, would be a good addition. Moreover, his addition will offer Arteta another option in the midfield.
