Kieran Tierney’s move to Arsenal has been anything but a success.
The Scotland international made the switch to the Emirates Stadium from Celtic for £25m in the summer, but has since gone on to make just 12 appearances in all competitions. Just as was the problem with the Bhoys, injuries have ruined his campaign, and it is still unclear when he will return to the action.
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Instead, Sead Kolasinac has often been used in the left-back role throughout the campaign – he has made 17 appearances in the Premier League, of which 13 have been starts.
Bukayo Saka’s emergence as a credible option at left-back in recent weeks, though, have put his place in jeopardy.
And his place in the team and squad could be in even more danger now given Arsenal’s reported interest in Marc Cucurella.
According to Cadena Cope (via Mundo Deportivo), the Gunners are eyeing the 21-year-old who is currently on loan at Getafe from Barcelona, but they will face competition from Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach and local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
He has impressed with his current side, who have conceded just 25 goals in 25 league matches to date – the surprise package in this season’s Spanish top flight, they are just one point of the Champions League qualification spots.
The report says that Cucurella has a €25m (£21m) release clause with the Blaugrana, but Getafe will purchase 60% of his playing rights for €6m (£5m) in the summer.
Whilst Kolasinac may have plenty of experience in his career to date, he has been outperformed in almost every department by the Spaniard. From a defensive point of view, the Bosnia international has averaged 1.3 tackles and 0.6 interceptions per match, whilst Cucurella has managed 2.1 and 0.7 respectively.
It doesn’t stop there either, as from an offensive perspective, the Getafe man also leads the way. He has averaged 1.4 key passes per match, compared to the 26-year-old’s 0.5, for example, managing four assists to two as well. Not only that, Kolasinac has failed to get himself on the scoresheet, whilst Cucurella has one goal to his name.
Having come in halfway through the campaign, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has had little time to stamp his authority on his squad. This is still very much the side that Unai Emery struggled to get a tune out of, which led to him being sacked towards the end of 2019.
The former Manchester City assistant manager did bring in Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares on loan last month, but January is a difficult time to mould a squad into what you are looking for in the long term.
Kolasinac joined the club on a free transfer from Schalke in 2017, but has failed to make a real impression for the Gunners and may be out of chances to prove his worth.
Tierney and Saka will need competition at full back, and Cucurella could very well be that man.
His complex contract situation in Spain means it is anyone’s guess as to where he could end up in a few months, but Arsenal should certainly look to make a move for the youngster.
Cucurella’s performances this term indicate he would not look out of place at Arsenal and Arteta would be wise to bring him to north London should the opportunity arise.