According to reports, Arsenal have completed their first summer signing ahead of next season, with the arrival of Bosnia and Herzegovina left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer to the club.
Prior to moving the Arsenal, the Bosnian international has been linked with several clubs, with Everton AC Milan, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all credited with a serious interest in his services. However, the Gunners were lucky to win the competition with a bumper contract offer and the reports claim that a pre-contract has been agreed upon by the player and the Gunners.
Kolasinac a Schalke academy graduate, the Bosnian international registered his debut for the German club senior side back in 2012 and has gone on to notched up 112 appearances so far, bagging 4 goals in the process. Having represented Germany at youth international levels, Kolasinac switched allegiances to Bosnia and has made 17 appearances for the Bosnian senior national team.
The £7.65m rated left-back, after spending some number of time on the sidelines due to serious injuries, is enjoying finest season for the German side. In his 31 appearances across all competitions, Kolasinac has seen the net 3 times and has set up seven more assists for his team-mates.
Given his age and experience, it was natural that quite top club showed interest in him; especially because he was available for free, with his contract set to expire in three months. And the North London club have managed to win over all competition with the player set to join them in July.
However, is moving to Arsenal the right choice for Sead Kolasinac? Would he have been better served moving to Liverpool instead?
It is no secret that Jurgen Klopp’s side were heavily keen on signing the 23-year-old and have been pursuing his signature since January earlier this year. That’s not surprising.
The Merseyside have been shot of services of a proven left-back this season. Their makeshit defender James Milner has performed to the best of his strength this season, but in Alberto Moreno, it has been of a more liability at the back. The has made registered just 15 appearances so far this season and it wouldn’t be surprise to see him face the exit door at the end of the season.
With age not on Milner’s side, Moreno’ future at the Anfield is in doubts, Kolasinac would have been the best replacement for him and also a backup and/or replacement on Milner without a question. Kolasinac natural attacking instincts, coupled with the pace he has would have made him the perfect fit for the way they now operate under Jurgen Klopp. With the German boss side sitting in top four in the league standings, qualification for Champions League looks almost certain.
On the other hand, the Gunners are a club that have not been performing at their best in the past year or so. Throughout the ongoing season, Arsenal have been experience huge issues on the field and off the field throughout. They currently occupy the 6th placed in the league table, no hope of Champions League football this season. Adding to that, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club stars like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, things don’t really look bright at the Emirates.
Also, the rumours surrounding the exit of long-serving manager Arsene Wenger, who is in the final few of his contract, it just adds to the problem surrounding the club.
With Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs still in the team, the Bosnian international is not a guaranteed starter for Arsenal week in week out, like he would have been at Liverpool. No involvement in the Champions League football is another aspect, that he would have most likely enjoyed if he had chosen to move to Liverpool.
Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds are making the right noises and heading in the right direction over the past year and a half, while the Gunners on the other hand have been poor under Arsene Wenger in recent past and things do not look very good for the Gunners in the near future. Considering all the facts in hand, heading to Anfield would have been a much better destination for him at the moment, than his move to the Emirates. But now that he has inked a deal, he will be working to fixed the jammed gun to help the Gunners get back to their best in the coming years.