Why Arsenal should continue to monitor Dominik Szoboszlai

According to Football London, Arsenal are continuing to keep close tabs on the progress of Red Bull Salzburg starlet Dominik Szoboszlai, having initially been credited with an interest in the teenager during the summer transfer window. 

The 18-year-old, who is regarded as one of the hottest emerging prospects in Europe, announced himself on the biggest stage of it all, as RB Salzburg thrashed Belgian giants Genk 6-2 at home on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League last night. 

Highly-rated fellow teenager Erling Braut Haland’s hat-trick set the team on course for a victory on Matchday one, while Hungarian starlet Dominik Szoboszlai also found the net in what was RB Salzburg’s first Champions League tie in 25 years. 

As per the report, Arsenal are currently not looking to make an offer for Szoboszlai but the Gunners will continue to monitor his development before making a decision next summer. 

The 18-year-old prodigy made his professional bow for the Austrian giants in the 2017-18 season and had a successful loan stint at Liefering in the second-tier before establishing himself in a first-team role last season. 

The Hungarian scored 5 times in 20 appearances in all competitions in the previous campaign and also featured in the UEFA Europa League before making his Champions League debut this term. The 18-year-old has hit the ground running in full force in the Austrian Bundesliga as well, putting some of Europe’s elites on red alert. 

Szoboszlai, who is capable of playing in both attacking and withdrawn roles in the midfield, has earned rave reviews from several scouts across the globe, with Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan also running the rule over him. (h/t Football London)

That he has burst on to the scene at RB Salzburg makes him an even more exciting prospect to watch out for, given the Austria club’s fantastic track record of blooding top-quality young talents. 

The likes of Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Duje Caleta-Car, Amadou Haidara and, most recently, Xaver Schlager and Munas Dabbur have carved out a big reputation elsewhere in Europe and Dominik Szoboszlai could be the next in the queue. 

To put things into perspective, the 18-year-old has already been tipped for stardom at some top club in Europe and it should be a no-brainer for Arsenal to firm up their interest in the teenager in the days to come. 

He is far from the finished article but a real talent, nevertheless, and the Gunners could have a future star on their hands if they manage to beat off competition for his signature next summer.

The midfielder has already established himself as a starter for Hungary at the senior international level, something that speaks volumes of his rapid development. 

Arsenal, of course, have a wonderful pool of young talents at the club, with the likes of Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson making their mark in the first-team under Unai Emery, while others like Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah are also regarded as players with a big future ahead of them. 

Matteo Guendouzi arrived at the Emirates as a completely unknown entity last summer and his rise to one of the mainstays of the club’s midfield should prompt the hierarchy to pursue a keen interest in talented youngsters like Szoboszlai. 

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To that end, RB Salzburg’s participation in the Champions League this term should make it easier for Arsenal to keep an eye on the 18-year-old and his performance against Genk last night would surely have made a positive impression.