Forget Everton – This £20,000-a-week defensive starlet should snub the Merseysiders and join Arsenal instead

Why Arsenal is a better destination than Everton for Reece Oxford

According to a report in Football.London (h/t Mirror), Premier League duo Arsenal and Everton are tracking Reece Oxford for a possible deal during the January transfer window.  The youngster hasn’t been able to get into the first-team at West Ham and there is a high chance that he will be sold next month.

He has played for the U23s but the player possesses enough potential to become a regular member of the senior team. The Gunners tried to sign the 20-year-old before he signed a four-and-a-half-year deal on his 18th birthday, worth around £20,000 a week. (Football.London)

Other Premier League giants Manchester United and City were also interested in the player before he broke through the West Ham first-team at the age of 16 under the management of Slaven Bilic.

Here’s why Arsenal over Everton is a better destination for the defender in all respects:

The project and manager at Arsenal encourages young talents

It is true that both Arsenal and Everton hired new managers over the summer and both projects have just kick-started. In that respect, moving to either club won’t make much difference. However, there is a difference between the standards of the two projects at this moment in time.

While Silva’s progress is kind of start-stop as we enter the January transfer window, Emery’s progress has been on the front foot and Arsenal seem to have gotten their identity back. Any football team regaining recognition is very important because it helps the scouting department to scout players who match the requirements of this identity.

In that aspect, the Gunners look a more appealing destination for any quality young player. Furthermore, Emery has shown that he is not afraid of giving players the opportunities, regardless of whether they are teenagers or not.

A perfect example would be Matteo Guendouzi, a player who was bought from the French second division over the summer and everyone expected him to go to the Academy. But as it turns out, the Frenchman is playing games on a regular basis for the Gunners’ senior team.

Read More: 10 goals, 5 assists in 13 games – Arsenal’s attack would become world-class if they land this Moroccan star in January

It just shows that the gaffer instils confidence in players to bring out their qualities and showcase their talent on the pitch. Reece Oxford is one such player who possesses terrific propensities and just needs a chance to prove his worth. And Emery could be a perfect manager for him.