Scout Report: Giannelli Imbula
Arsenal seem to be linked with almost every up and coming player in the world. The latest to be linked with a move to London is Marseille’s Giannelli Imbula, the 22-year-old has been one of Marseille’s best young players in the last two years and now it seems that he is all set to join Arsenal as they have been scouting the youngster for quite a while.
He helped his club, Guingamp get promoted from Ligue 2 in France and was voted as the best player in Ligue 2, it wasn’t a surprise that he was snapped up by one of the top clubs in the country when Marseille announced his signature and now it seems that the player is all set to move to London.
The player could have represented Congo or Belgium but decided to stick with the French team and seems a sure shot to play for the French first team sometime in the future, we look at what makes this young player someone whom Arsenal would benefit from if they do sign him.
Strong and hard working
Deployed primarily as a defensive midfielder, his greatest strength is his tough tackling. The 22-year-old has a great frame and is built like a tank which obviously helps him play in midfield as a destroyer. Imbula is no slouch either and features great speed and acceleration, especially when it comes to taking up loose balls or chasing down an opponent.
Imbula is also a decent passer and has one of the best passing rates for a player in his position, he does prefer to make shorter passes and does not look for that killer ball. He is calm and composed on the ball as well, another bonus for a player who is this young. Imbula does not really have too many weaknesses, he does need to work on his long passing but that should not be a problem for the youngster, especially since he would be surrounded by so many top players at Arsenal. His long leggy and bursting style of play earned him comparisons with Patrick Vieira.
The biggest question is, does Imbula provide the Gunners with more defensive cover than Francis Coquelin, the other young midfielder at Arsenal had an outstanding season last time around and he would be hoping that he would get a chance to seal his role in the team in a permanent basis, whatever happens, if Arsenal do sign Imbula anytime soon, it would be a fantastic signing for the now and the future.