Arsenal reportedly bid for ‘extremely intelligent’ £30m star, Arteta could get his own Mascherano – TBR View

Sat 18 June 2022 19:15, UK

꧋Arsenal fans have had to wait a little longer than some other clubs in getting their summer transfer business under way.

🍷However, things are now moving in the right direction, with one reported signing and a key contract extension.

༒On Saturday, Arsenal announced that Eddie Nketiah had penned a new deal at the Emirates.

😼Meanwhile, the deal to take Fabio Vieira to north London has reportedly been completed, though it’s not been announced yet.

🅰Nonetheless, Arsenal dropped a big hint on social media, claiming they’re “just getting started” after Nketiah’s extension.

Just getting started…

ꦛWe're delighted to announce has signed a new deal ✍️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)

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♒Arsenal are reportedly still in negotiations over Gabriel Jesus, and things seem to be on the right track there too.

♔Now, the Gunners are apparently looking to bolster their defensive ranks too.

🅰According to the , Arsenal are now in pursuit of Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez.

🌠The outlet claims the Gunners are willing to pay £30million for the Argentina international.

💦Ajax apparently rejected an initial £25million bid from Mikel Arteta’s side.

“Very commanding and calm in possession”

𝓰Martinez would be a superb signing for Arsenal, an incredibly talented and versatile defender with a high ceiling.

Fans on Twitter have him to .

ඣIn April this year, scouting website Breaking the Lines provided an of the player.

🙈Ironically, this is in an article called “searching for Tottenham’s next left-sided center-back”.

🌱“The 24-year-old is very commanding and calm in possession,” they wrote.

ꦏ“So much so that he is allowed to abandon his role at centre-back to sometimes act as deep-lying midfielder beyond the first line of pressure.

🎉“This is because the Argentine is very comfortable playing in tight areas, always backing himself to get out of situations.

൲“His ability on the ball is more that of a midfielder, his switch of play is the most striking part of his ball-playing.

🐈“His diagonal switches have incredible accuracy and can be key in disrupting a low block.

🐲“This pattern of play was lethal with Hakim Ziyech in 2019/2020 and still is with Anthony or Steven Berghuis.

🔯“In terms of defending… he leans on his intelligence and spatial awareness to thwart forwards.

🧜“He can step up to dispossess, or back off to defend the space – it all depends on the situation.

♑“Martinez is an extremely intelligent and cultured defender.”

In addition, Erik ten Hag rates Martinez highly.

꧟When he emerged into the first team, Ten Hag said, as per ) “I find Lisandro Martinez an excellent player.

ꦿ“He is actually starting material and this is why I talk with him a lot.”