LEIPZIG, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 04: Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on November 04, 2020 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
According to Metro, Arsenal are expected to revive their interest in Christopher Nkunku. The Gunners wanted to bring the then PSG player on loan but their repeated offers were knocked back. Now it is being reported that the player is garnering attention from a lot of Premier League clubs and Lyon.
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 55 appearances for the German side, he has scored 6 goals and assisted 19 so far (source – Transfermarkt). Born in France to parents of Congolese descent, Nkunku has 24 caps under his belt for France at all 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 9 occasions in 8 league games this season – Arsenal are something else now. While Mikel Arteta has found some much needed defensive solidity, the final third looks rather dry.
The absence of Mesut Ozil is clearly being felt as the midfield combination of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny hardly provides much in the attack. They are solid defensively but they can’t produce that final ball to the forward line.
A proven playmaker like Nkunku looks like the need of the hour for Arsenal. A player who has recorded a stunning 19 assists in 55 games should surely appeal to the club and Arteta as well. Nkunku is as versatile a player they come.
Capable of playing as an attacking or central midfielder, he has often played on the wings. Within a season and half in Germany, Nkunku has established himself as one of the best and most prolific playmakers in Europe.
It is a no-brainer for Arsenal to seriously put their efforts in signing the 22-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.