Arsene Wenger says Sead Kolasinac has the physical attributes to cope with life in the Premier League after snapping up the Bosnian on a free transfer from Schalke.
The 23-year-old left-back, who was included in the Bundesliga side of the year for 2016/17, registered seven assists and scored three times last season; stats that the boss thinks will bring an attacking edge to the Gunners.
“He’s very compact as a player, very strong and determined in the challenges,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“He’s good in the air as well, so overall I believe he has all the attributes to adapt to English football
“The game here is very demanding physically on the commitment front and he has the ingredients to adapt to that.
“What he will give us is the fact that he’s a player who can give assists, who can go forward, who can contribute good crosses.”
“It’s very important that we have that as well, because we have Kieran Gibbs, we have Nacho Monreal and we have him.
Interestingly, with two international left-backs on the books already, the boss hinted that he could continue to deploy Nacho Monreal as a third centre-back when the new season starts – a role he looked comfortable playing during the FA Cup final.
“Nacho plays a lot now in central defence and in a three-man system I see him in there,” continued Wenger.
“So overall, I think [Kolasinac] can contribute a lot to help us to be more dangerous going forward.”
Whether Gibbs, who is out of contract at the end of next season, stays at the club this summer remains to be seen. He’s already been heavily linked with Newcastle United.
Monreal in centre defence……. I’m not so sure. Little bit sticky tape.
In a two I think he struggles a little, but being the left of a three suits him and he’s looked good there. I wouldn’t say that should be our first choice, but it’s a great option.
In a two. He is not at his best. But he definitely didn’t struggle. If anything he did quite well.
One of my favourite and most consistent players.
I think the time he spent in a two improved his defensive nous and ultimately made him a finer player. If I recall correctly, he was viewed upon as a flakey player before that.
I think we are going for a little flexibility.
We should be able to play BOTH 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1
With Kolasinac and Monreal, we have 2 options for both.
I expect Kolasinac may take on primary role for 4-2-3-1
The great thing with Kolasinac is he is versatile. Wenger tends to like redundancy in several positions per player.
I believe like Monreal, Kolasinac can also tuck into the back 3 or play across the back.
If need be, he can also be used as a blunt instrument to enforce midfield
He’s made for the left-side centre back position in a 3-man defence. He steps out of the line to intercept diagonal balls very well. And he comes forward in attack to add another body – in the same style as a defensive left back in a 4-man defence – which allows us to overload the lefthand side as the opposition cannot mark him, the wing back and Sanchez at the same time.
Very true. A fullback converted to a centreback seems to be a key ingredient in making a back three work so well. Look at Azpilicueta for Chelsea.
There is a slight loss of height with Mobreal in back 3 but his experience is key.
Remember both Mustafi and Koscielny are only 6 feet…Holding and Gabriel slightly taller.
Kolasinac is also 6′.
Wel
back
He is a beast. Good start to the summer, hope we keep it up.
I think Kolasinac and him will hold on the left till we can see if young Be small can live up to potential in which time Montreal will need replacement.
Hmm Kolasinac is taller, physically stronger and good in the air. Personally i’d reverse the situation and play him in the back three and Monreal on the left. From what i’ve seen he’s not better going forward than Monreal.
Oh is he not? http://news.arseblog.com/2017/06/video-kolasinac-is-a-true-wing-back-who-can-flourish-in-our-new-system/?utm_campaign=autotwitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
Our Bosnian Battering Ram. I’m very excited to see him in action.
Too bad our Bosnian Bosman won’t have a cunt *cough, John Terry, cough* to kick next season.
But he will still have the Sp*rs team to destroy…
Can’t wait to see him bump their mouth breathing striker off the ball.
As far as I’m aware dele Alli isn’t retiring
Sounds to me like he intends to keep Gibbo
Probably not.
We have Koscielny, Mustafi, Holding, Gabriel, Chambers, Bellerin ,MONREAL AND Kolasinac.
That’s 8 at the back not to mention Per plus Ox can also play wing.
Gibbs will be sold if offer is good enough.
Dont forget Jenkinson
Don’t think he’s going to outright say we are getting rid of Gibbs at this point
A Bosnian on a Bosman!
Been watching Schalke 04 and Bosnia for years and this guy an extremely talented player. Aggressive, fit, good on the ball, gets up and down. Good bit of business.
Thank David Dein not Dic k Law or Wenger or our scouting system.
Some fans.
How much does the club pay him weekly? £50k, £100k?
I don’t care one bit as long as he’s happy and plays well!
Love the bloke already.
What an animal.
And he has some skills too.
…and all free.
That Dick Law is really clueless.
How much did he bring Holding for?
We need a Director of Football. Liverpool had one and he bought them Andy Carroll for 35m.
Wenger has needed someone to do deals for a long time. He has dithered for too long in the transfer market and hence we have missed out on top targets. A director of football, or deal maker, or whatever you want to call it, is an absolute requirement so that Wenger can get on with actually coaching the team. His job simply should be to identify his targets and the job of a deal maker to get the job done, irrespective of price.
I hope he learns to not go in full blooded into a challenge and is light on his feet. With Shawcrosses around and his body size, he might feel tackles a lot more