One of the best young talents in the World of football might have lost his way recently but interest in a top player never dies and Stephan El Shaarawy is back in the limelight with reported interest from none other than the club which just loves to have young players, Arsenal. El Shaarawy recently stated that the interest from Arsenal gratifies him, but he also said that he still has a job to do at AC Milan.
The 22 year old was destined to become the next big thing a couple of years ago when he burst onto the scene at Milan, he really did a number in the 2012-13 season when he scored 19 goals in 46 matches for Milan. The last 2 seasons have been marred with injuries and he is currently injured as well, in total El Shaarawy has only played 23 games in the last two seasons and Milan are struggling without him as they currently lie in 10th position and are 7 points away from a European place. Given the probability that AC Milan may not qualify for another season of European football, El Shaarawy might seek greener pastures but should those fields be those at the Emirates?
El ShaarawyA prodigy for sure but at the risk of injury
El Shaarawy is considered as one of the brightest players in the Italian national team and is destined to do great things but his development has been stunted due to the spate of injuries he suffered last season and he still has not recovered from them it seems. El Shaarawy has a low centre of gravity and can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder, he does play as a central striker but he isn’t the most robust player and that is where he could fall a little short if he is to come and play for Arsenal.
Arsenal should be wary of having too many lightweight attackers, Alexis Sanchez might be more robust than any of the other attackers at the Emirates but El Shaarawy would need some time to gel into the English game which is more dynamic than the Italian one. In reality, El Shaarawy should do well in the English Premier League as well, if he does sign with Arsenal, he would have a plethora of attackers with him as they try to destroy defences but it is his injury record which could be a stumbling block more than anything else.
Him having to deal with the toughest defenders or at least the roughest ones in the world might not be a contest that we could bet money on the Italian to come out on top. He certainly should be signed by Arsenal if they have a chance to, players of his calibre and potential don’t come out so often and hence, whatever the price, he should become a Gunner but he should be eased into English league play slowly and steadily, we would not want another Abou Diaby scenario at Arsenal all over again.