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What Arsene Wenger once said about Roberto Firmino is now very interesting after claims Arsenal want to sign him for free
Roberto Firmino has emerged as a shock target for Arsenal.
The Gunners failed to sign anyone in the winter transfer window. Everybody could see that they needed a new striker, but the board let Mikel Arteta down.
That decision has backfired now as Kai Havertz has joined Gabriel Jesus on the treatment table, and he is set to be out until next season.
With Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka also currently injured, Arsenal could do with a new attacker, and Firmino has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
What Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger once said about Roberto Firmino
Arsene Wenger’s eye for talent is unquestionable.
The legendary Frenchman knows a good player when he sees one, and he developed many during his time as the manager of Arsenal.
Firmino was never someone who was close to joining Arsenal when Wenger was at the helm, but the Gunners could get a surprise opportunity now.
Al-Ahli have excluded the Brazilian from their league squad because the Saudi Pro League rules state that a team can only have 10 foreign players.
Firmino wasn’t among the 10 who were picked, and that has led to reports claiming that he could terminate his contract with Al-Ahli and become available as a free agent.
Reports have claimed that Arsenal are eyeing a move to sign Firmino on a free transfer if that happens. Fans of the Emirates Stadium club will love what Wenger once said about him.
He told beIN Sports in February 2021: “I think you have the type of strikers like Suarez from Liverpool, now Firmino at Liverpool, the kind of striker who makes the wide players good. And you have the kind of striker who kills the other players around him. Suarez, Firmino, are players who make people around them good.
“You see strikers who do what Firmino is doing [with his assist for Salah], who would have tried to force the shot or dribble. He is the kind of striker who you don’t find a lot – they work hard for the team and make the players around him better.
“Let’s be honest. You want everything from a player. I’ve seen many strikers who don’t score and go into the dressing room and are ready to destroy the team. He’s always ready to work for the team and put his body on the line for the others. I respect that.
“He scores goals as well. Maybe he’s a bit short of goals, but all the rest, you cannot fault him.”
Wenger’s comments suggest two Arsenal players will thrive if Roberto Firmino is signed
Firmino is the type of player every manager would love to have.
The Brazilian is extremely selfless and is always happy to do the work that would allow the players around him to succeed.
During his time at Liverpool, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were the superstars, but neither player would’ve been as good as they were without Firmino.
As Wenger said above, Firmino makes those around him better, and if he signs for Arsenal, he will bring the best out of their two wide players – be it Martinelli and Saka or Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri.
It remains to be seen if Al-Ahli will agree to terminate his deal and let him leave.