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Patrick Vieira called reported Arsenal transfer target a ‘leader’

Mathew Nash

Sun 12 July 2020 7:15, UK

Arsenal have recently been linked with a move for free agent defender Malang Sarr. 

, the Gunners are leading the race to sign the defender, whose contract has expired at French side Nice. 

The report claims that German side RB Leipzig are also keen on the player, who can play both at left-back or centre-back. 

With money tight around Arsenal, bringing in a player of Sarr’s qualities on a free transfer would certainly appeal to the club and fans. 

He has also been working under the guidance of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira. The former Arsenal captain is the manager at Nice and has helped integrate him into the first-team. 

The 2018-19 campaign was undoubtedly his best at Nice, with Vieira lavishing praise on his progress in March 2019. , Vieira hailed his ‘leadership’ qualities whilst on Vieira’s happiness at Sarr’s progression. 

“He has the personality of a leader.

“He answers simply and clearly. My role, with my staff, is to continue to make it progress, and to exchange with him so that he knows what the very high level is. We’ve seen it in the last few games, today Malang is better than it has been.”

However, Sarr’s form was not as eye-catching in 2019-20 and he occasionally found himself out of the starting XI. 

But he was still handed the captain’s armband in February for a game with Toulouse so clearly Vieira saw something in the leadership qualities of the 21-year-old. 

Arsenal undoubtedly need more leaders in the squad and Sarr might be a perfect option.