Arsenal opinion: Gunners linked with Alexis Claude Maurice – good move?

While they may have reached the Europa League final, Unai Emery has a lot of work to do on this Arsenal side before they turn into a genuine top-four contender. This season showed exactly what the club lacked and that is something that they have to change in the summer window.

If it hadn’t been for their defensive frailties, the Gunners would have been in Europa League final but with a confirmed top-four place. That would have made all the difference and the players would walk into Baku with a little less pressure.

While a win would see them play Champions League football next season, they’ve left themselves with a lot to do. It’s a job that they are very capable of achieving as they do face a very familiar foe in the form of Chelsea but it doesn’t mean that it will be any easier for them.

The additional pressure of the final will make the game tougher not easier and that is where Arsenal needs to shine. The attitude and ability to perform when the pressure is on has been questioned off late and that needs to change.

Things may have changed under Emery’s tutelage but he has to take it even further and with the summer window open, it gives him a chance to do just that.

Last summer, the club added bargains like Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira. It’s that kind of player that Arsenal need to target again and that’s exactly what Alexis Claude Maurice is.

The Metro has reported that Arsenal are once again targeting an FC Lorient star but this time it’s an attacking midfielder. Just 20 years old, Maurice has had a phenomenal season with the Ligue 2 side and is their second highest goalscorer.

He finished the season with 14 goals and 4 assists to his name, playing all across the midfield and even as a centre-forward. But his preferred position is as an attacking midfielder and with Arsenal losing Aaron Ramsey, a player like Alexis Claude Maurice could be a bargain replacement.

With the Guendouzi experiment doing so well, it does look like Arsenal want to replicate it, but Maurice is so much more. A talented player, Maurice is someone who combines his ambidextrousness and agility to make himself a menace all over the field but especially in the final third.

His goalscoring prowess has been witnessed this season but so has his work ethic, with the 20-year-old working tirelessly. It’s a feature that Unai Emery loves to have in a player and why a move does make a lot of sense for Arsenal.

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Conclusion

Arsenal needs reinforcements but given their transfer budget, it cannot be players who are far too expensive for the club.

It’s why a player like Alexis Claude Maurice would be perfect as he could prove to be yet another bargain for the club. Combine that with his age and willingness to work hard, and it all binds together rather nicely for Arsenal.