Ex-Man United winger urges Moscow forward to join Arsenal
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Arsenal’s Premier League challenge this season could be decided by transfer activity as much as performances on the pitch, and Arsene Wenger is seemingly exploring all options for January’s window.
The latest player linked with a move to the Emirates is Dynamo Moscow’s highly-rated Aleksandr Kokorin.
Arsenal are reported to have made a bid of around £5m for the Russian international, and former Manchester United midfielder Andrei Kanchelskis believes the 24-year-old should jump at the chance to move to north London.
“The Russian championship is very weak and Aleksandr can progress at Arsenal,” the two-time Premier League winner has stated.
“Arsenal are the best option for Alexander’s career,” Kanchelskis added.
“If he is prepared to work hard, he will not have any problems.”
Kanchelskis also referenced Arsenal’s last dalliance with a Russian winger.
“He will not be like Andrei Arshavin, and will become a top class forward for the London club.”
At 24, Kokorin should be approaching his peak years, but is currently struggling to make an impact in a Dynamo Moscow side lumbered in mid-table in the Russian Premier League.
A tidy haul of 10 goals in just 22 appearances two seasons ago has been Kokorin’s brightest season thus far, but Kanchelskis thinks Wenger is just the man to help.
“Like Dyanmo Moscow, Arsenal play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Wenger trusts young players and is able to develop their talent,” the former Everton man said.
With Danny Welbeck now ruled out until February, and Alexis Sanchez still in the middle of what could be a two-month spell on the sidelines, Wenger has seen Olivier Giroud and Joel Campbell step up in attack in recent weeks to keep the Gunners in Premier League contention.
Any injury to one of those two players would leave Arsenal light up front, and Wenger must choose soon if it’s reinforcements he seeks, or does he hold out for his current crop of crocked stars to return?
Should Wenger choose the former, Kokorin fits the bill for an affordable attacking outlet.
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