Arsenal and Liverpool haven’t been able to hit the heights that were expected from the duo. While Liverpool still could be doing something in Europe with the semi-final tie against Villarreal in the Europa League, Arsenal have absolutely nothing to play for with the season coming to a close.
While both sides are looking to end the season as soon as possible and think about the next season, one thing that has affected both sides for a number of years is the lack of quality attacking options on the wing.
Alright, you can’t say that Arsenal do not have attacking options but do they really have a quality winger in their side? Alexis Sanchez has played out wide, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil also and Theo Walcott cannot seem to play two games consistently well.
Liverpool though have never really had quality out on the wing since the days of Albert Riera? Even that would be pushing it, the Reds have struggled to attract big names in recent years too and that has led to paucity in world-class wingers at Anfield.
One player who has been linked with a move to the Premier League is Celta Vigo star Nolito who seems to be getting better with each season under his belt.
The former Barcelona star has been incredible for Vigo and has scored 11 goals in La Liga this season and even has 7 assists to his name, all in just 26 appearances for the club, not a bad return for the side.
The big question is who would want to move for the 28-year-old, Liverpool or Arsenal?
Although many fans are upset with the way the season has gone for Arsenal, it isn’t due to a lack of goals or attacking ability. The Gunners might be putting square pegs in round holes but they do get the job done. Sanchez and Ramsey out wide aren’t the worst options out there but Alex Iwobi seems to be one player who could be the answer to not having enough wide players or at least quality wide players.
The Nigerian has looked incredible since making his break into the first team and will surely be a mainstay in the side, if things go as planned and if he keeps on performing.
The problem with Liverpool is that they do not have any wingers at all. Jordon Ibe hasn’t evolved and grown as much as he should have and even Lazar Markovic hasn’t played enough games this season as he has been away on loan in Turkey.
If anyone really needs some creativity in the wing it has to be Liverpool. Time and time again, they have failed to get the crosses in for either Christian Benteke or even Divock Origi and the job of putting the crosses into the box has fallen on the shoulders of James Milner.
Liverpool do have a few youngsters who could do be brilliant in the future, such as Sheyi Ojo but that is expecting a lot from someone who does not have a lot of game time under his belt. Nolito is known for his delivery during dead-ball situations and even though he is not the youngest player, his experience in playing out wide could be a great asset for Jurgen Klopp and his team.