Marc Roca (Getty Images)
According to Spanish outlet Sport (h/t The Metro), Arsenal are interested in signing Espanyol midfielder Marc Roca as a replacement for Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos.
Roca, 23, rose through the ranks of Espanyol’s youth system and was promoted to the club’s first-team in 2016. Since then, he has made 108 appearances for the Catalans and has been impressive throughout the last two campaigns.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have endured a mixed season so far after starting on a low note under Unai Emery. The arrival of Mikel Arteta has helped them regroup and elevate their game as they haven’t lost a league fixture in 2020.
The Spaniard has done a decent job in his first season as the manager of Arsenal as they are pushing for a place in the Europa League. However, the Gunners have shown inconsistency despite the upturn in form, with club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the only player who has contributed right from the start.
While the attacking unit has done a considerable job up front, the defence has been shaky throughout the campaign. And the manager was forced to bring in Spaniard Pablo Mari from Flamengo on loan. He has been excellent in the few games he has featured.
However, one of the significant areas which Arteta should consider tinkering is the midfield. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, a midfielder by trade, has featured as a full-back for the majority of the campaign, leaving the Gunners with limited options in the central areas. Mohamed Elneny was sent out on loan.
Matteo Guendouzi, Dani Ceballos, Joe Willock, Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka are the only players available in that position at the moment. While Willock and Guendouzi are still young and need to improve their game, Swiss international Xhaka has not been up to the mark, although he has shown improvement under Arteta.
And Spanish international Dani Ceballos, who is on loan from Real Madrid, would ideally return to La Liga once his loan spell comes to an end in the summer. If he leaves, Arsenal have to bring in reinforcements to add depth and quality to the squad.
In that case, Espanyol’s Marc Roca would be a suitable replacement for his compatriot as the youngster has been in fine form for his club and the Spanish U21 squad.
The 23-year-old has the ability to operate as a box-to-box midfielder and a permanent move for him could benefit the Gunners in terms of quality. He has also featured in 7 games for his nation’s U21 side and has got some experience at a higher level.
With Ceballos only on loan at Arsenal and Elneny not looking like a part of the club’s future, the Gunners would be wise to invest on a young and talented central midfielder, especially considering they let Aaron Ramsey leave as well at the start of the season.
Arsenal need to build a team for the future and signing a young midfielder would help them as most of the squad members are young and have a huge future ahead. And Roca would be a good choice if he replicates the same form he has shown for his side.
Therefore, the Gunners should make a prompt attempt and lure the Spaniard to Emirates as early as this summer.
