LEEDS, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Mateusz Klich of Leeds in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on November 22, 2020 in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
According to Football.london, Arsenal and their search for a creative midfielder could be solved by Mateusz Klich of Leeds. The Gunners have been on the lookout for a playmaker since freezing out Mesut Ozil. They were heavily linked with Houssem Aouar through the summer but failed to get a deal over the line due to financial constraints.
Mateusz Klich is a 30-year-old Polish midfielder who plays for Leeds United. He started his youth career at Tarnovia Tarnow in 1999 before moving on to Cracovia Krakow four years later. SPending the next few years in their youth setup, he was promoted to the senior team in 2008.
After more than 50 games for them, he was signed by VfL Wolfsburg. He had two separate spells at the German outfit sandwiched with a one and half year spell at PEC Zwolle. Without making a single appearance for Wolfsburg’s senior side, he was sold to Kaiserslautern. He would only make 23 appearances for them and then moved to FC Twente.
In his only season there, he would make 30 appearances and contribute to 10 goals. However, it was only after signing for Leeds that he would get regular game time. So far, he has played 116 games for the Whites, scoring 19 goals and assisting 17. Klich has been a regular of the Polish team with 30 appearances to date.
Arsenal’s chase of Houssem Aouar was one of the most dragged out transfer sagas in the summer. Nonetheless, a deal failed to materialise. The Gunners still hold an interest in the player as they are likely to have another go at him in the future, possibly even January (source – Mirror).
With a deal for Aouar looking difficult, Arsenal should look a bit closer to home for a solution to their creative problems. They should turn their attention to Elland Road where a certain Mateusz Klich is pulling the strings for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
The midfielder has already scored twice and assisted thrice in the nine games this season. He has been a constant for Leeds since joining them and was an important part of their promotion campaign last season. Arsenal have struggled for goals this season in the league and a major reason for that has been the lack of a natural playmaker.
While Klich may not be a superstar name like Aouar or have bags of potential like him, he is a decent alternative to the Lyon man.
