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Arsenal going all out to sign this 26-year-old Serie A midfielder would be a shrewd January move

Why Arsenal should go all out to sign Sassuolo’s Alfred Duncan in January

Back in 2016, a report from the Ghana Web had claimed that Arsenal were interested in signing Sassuolo midfielder Alfred Duncan.

Last season, Alfred Duncan, 26, made 26 league appearances for Sassuolo involving 21 starts and four goals. He has hit the ground running in the new Serie A season, bagging a goal and four assists in just games for the Neroverdi.

The Ghana international has hogged the headlines for the right reasons, churning out impressive displays for the Italian outfit. Keeping in mind the midfielder’s performances over the last two seasons, Arsenal would be wise to reignite their interest in Duncan during the January transfer window.

The Gunners are willing to loan out Mesut Ozil in January with the playmaker featuring just twice under Unai Emery so far this season.

When fit and available, Ozil has still struggled to force his way into Emery’s plans, playing just once in the Premier League in the 2-2 draw against Watford. It is very clear Emery doesn’t quite rate the German and wants him out in the upcoming transfer window.

Emery has inclined to select younger players in his midfield so far this season with Matteo Guendouzi, Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos all receiving plenty of game time. Barring Ceballos, who is on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, the north London giants do seem to lack creativity and flair from central midfield.

Guendouzi has impressed this season with his tireless displays in the middle of the park but he cannot be categorized as a creative player, just like Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira.

Arsenal do have an exciting attack, blessed with two prolific strikers in Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, but they need more goals and invention from midfield if Emery’s side are to break into the top four this season.

That’s when the signing of Alfred Duncan would make sense for the Gunners. The Ghanaian’s consistency and versatility for Sassuolo, along with his tremendous technique and work rate, have made him one of the Serie A’s exciting players. B

lessed with plenty of power and pace, the 26-year-old is great at recycling the ball and pressing, whilst possessing the capability to go on and score goals for his team.

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Duncan never hesitates to stick his foot to stop the opposition from advancing and can cover a lot of ground due to his stamina and energy.

The Ghanaian can play through the middle or on either of the flanks and would provide Emery with further attacking intent in the final third. He could be that creative link that brings more fluidity to Arsenal’s play and helps them score goals consistently.

Verdict

A powerful, athletic box-to-box midfielder, Duncan would add some much-needed physicality to the Arsenal midfield. At 26, he is about to hit his prime and a move to the Emirates could see Arsenal enjoy the midfielder’s best years of his career.