Arsenal tipped for £15 million deal for Norwich City’s Emi Buendia after Willian’s performances have frustrated coach
Last Updated: December 28, 2020 7:12 pm
Arsenal want Buendia
Arsenal are expected to attack the January market in search of some additional creativity. There have been several names linked with the Gunners including that of now RB Leipzig signing, Dominik Szoboszlai. Inter Milan’s Christian Eriksen, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt and Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
What these players have in common is the fact that they come from clubs from the continent. Arsenal are also linked to a player which has significant experience of playing in England. Norwich City attacking midfielder Emi Buendia has supposedly caught the interest of Arsenal for a number of reasons.
The Argentine is a prolific chance creator and has shown that in both the Championship and last season in the Premier League. He has the versatility to play both on the right-hand side and in a central attacking role and could be available for a reasonable fee.
In fact, there have been suggestions that he could be available for as little as £15 million.
Willian’ın performansından memnun olmayan Arteta, Emiliano Buendía’yı istiyor.
Norwich City, Buendía için 15 milyon Pound bonservis bedeli talep ediyor. İki takım arasında görüşmeler kısa sürede başlayacak.#Arsenal #NorwichCity
— Ekrem Konur (@Ekremkonur) December 28, 2020
Considering the January market is one whereby clubs look to do shrewd business rather than splash huge amounts of money, the profile of Buendia could be one which suits Arsenal considering the typically restricted finances of the club.
Willian frustrations
The signing of Willian by Arsenal was looked upon as an intriguing one. A Premier League player of vast experience but at the age of 32 questions arose as to the output of which William would be able to provide the team. With £72 million invested in right-winger Nicolas Pepe, many believed Willian was brought in to provide depth but the Brazilian has played regularly under Mikel Arteta.
Having finished eighth in the season last year, much was expected of a side which had signed not just William but also world-class midfielder Thomas Partey and highly-rated centre-back Gabriel. Arguably the biggest miss was the failure to sign a creative midfielder.
Arsenal have looked devoid of much creativity throughout the season and Willian has been unable to bring much of his own creation, which made him such an asset at Chelsea. So far this season, the Brazilian has only three assists, two of which were recorded on the opening day against Fulham.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (right) celebrates scoring his side’s third goal of the game with da Silva Willian during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. (Photo by Ben Stanstall/PA Images via Getty Images)
Willian was not included in the squad for Arsenal 3-1 victory over Chelsea, the reason given was that he had been ill. With much criticism of Arteta for selecting Willian on several occasions, more so than he has been deemed worthy of, if, when he returns, is reinstated into Arsenal’s line-up there will be much criticism again of the Spanish coach.
🗞 Updates on the following players…
Gabriel – COVID close contact, now isolating and will miss the next three matches
David Luiz and Willian – both are unwell but have both recently tested negative
We will continue to monitor, support and assess their conditions #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/E3pCHbQ1OH
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 26, 2020
It is therefore unsurprising to see Arsenal linked with players who could effectively supersede the man who was only brought in just 6 months ago.
Emi Buendia reportedly one of several players on Arsenal’s transfer shortlist
Tactical Insight: Why Emi Buendia is the man to solve Arsenal’s creativity problems
This article was edited by Josh Barker.
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| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City FC | 27 | 39 | 65 |
| 2 | Manchester United FC | 27 | 21 | 51 |
| 3 | Leicester City FC | 27 | 15 | 50 |
| 4 | Chelsea FC | 27 | 17 | 47 |
| 5 | Everton FC | 26 | 6 | 46 |
| 6 | West Ham United FC | 26 | 9 | 45 |
| 7 | Liverpool FC | 27 | 12 | 43 |
| 8 | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 26 | 15 | 42 |
| 9 | Aston Villa FC | 25 | 11 | 39 |
| 10 | Arsenal FC | 26 | 7 | 37 |
| 11 | Leeds United | 26 | -1 | 35 |
| 12 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 27 | -9 | 34 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace FC | 27 | -14 | 34 |
| 14 | Southampton FC | 26 | -13 | 30 |
| 15 | Burnley FC | 27 | -16 | 29 |
| 16 | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 26 | -7 | 26 |
| 17 | Newcastle United FC | 26 | -17 | 26 |
| 18 | Fulham FC | 27 | -12 | 23 |
| 19 | West Bromwich Albion | 27 | -36 | 17 |
| 20 | Sheffield United FC | 27 | -27 | 14 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 17 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 15 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 14 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 13 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 13 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 13 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 12 |
| Gundogan, Ilkay | Manchester City FC | 11 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United FC | 10 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa FC | 10 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 9 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 9 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester City FC | 9 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace FC | 9 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 9 |
| Aubameyang, Pierre-Emerick | Arsenal FC | 9 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City FC | 8 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 8 |
| Soucek, Tomas | West Ham United FC | 8 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City FC | 7 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallagher, Conor | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 8 |
| Bellerin, Hector | Arsenal FC | 0 | 8 |
| Milivojevic, Luka | Crystal Palace FC | 1 | 7 |
| Hayden, Isaac | Newcastle United FC | 0 | 8 |
| Maguire, Harry | Manchester United FC | 0 | 7 |
| Lundstram, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 6 |
| Evans, Jonny | Leicester City FC | 0 | 7 |
| Egan, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 6 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 6 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 6 |
| Klich, Mateusz | Leeds United | 0 | 6 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 6 |
| Hojbjerg, Pierre | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 0 | 6 |
| Xhaka, Granit | Arsenal FC | 1 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 6 |
| Kante, N`Golo | Chelsea FC | 0 | 6 |
| Luiz, Douglas | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 5 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 0 | 5 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Dallas, Stuart | Leeds United | 0 | 5 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 11 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 10 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 10 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City FC | 10 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 8 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 6 |
| Cresswell, Aaron | West Ham United FC | 6 |
| Digne, Lucas | Everton FC | 6 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 5 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City FC | 5 |
| Firmino, Roberto | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 5 |
| Werner, Timo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 5 |
| Neto, Pedro | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 5 |
| Robertson, Andrew | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Willian | Arsenal FC | 5 |
| Shaw, Luke | Manchester United FC | 5 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 4 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 4 |
