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Arsenal to rekindle interest in Jordan Amavi?

By Jonathan Northall

Aston Villa's French defender Jordan Amavi reacts on the final whistle of the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Aston Villa at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on September 13, 2015. Leicester won the game 3-2. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
Aston Villa's French defender Jordan Amavi reacts on the final whistle of the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Aston Villa at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on September 13, 2015. Leicester won the game 3-2. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal could be interested in signing Aston Villa’s left back, Jordan Amavi, as he has been linked with a move away from the relegated club.

Arsenal could rekindle their interest in relegated Aston Villa’s left back, Jordan Amavi.  The 22 year old was one of few positives from Villa’s season before picking up a cruciate ligament injury on international duty.

It is unlikely that Amavi will want to spend a season in the Championship especially when teams are courting his signature.  Liverpool, AC Milan, Lyon and Monaco have all been linked with the player since the end of the season.

Only twelve months ago, Arsenal were linked with the left back to replace Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs.  Arsene Wenger was rumoured to want to bring Amavi from Nice to the Emirates but Villa signed the player for £10 million on a 5 year deal.

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Villa’s relegation to the Championship has loosened the grip on their player and Wenger could take the opportunity to make Amavi his first choice left back.

Despite only making 12 appearances in total last season, Amavi quickly became a fan favourite at Villa Park. Amavi is a left back who likes to get forward and is comfortable running at defenders.

His distribution from dead balls is also good and is not afraid to play a long ball if required.  Defensively, Amavi’s prowess was admired by Villa fans.  His style of play is quite combative at times: tackling hard, looking to intercept balls and strong in the air.

Arsene Wenger’s left back dilemma has not improved in the last twelve months.  Kieran Gibbs has failed to hold down the position (15 league appearances last season) whilst Nacho Monreal has turned 30 so cannot be considered a long term option for the Gunners.

Amavi fits the bill perfectly as an Arsene Wenger type player. His style is very similar to Ashley Cole with marauding runs down the left, tenacious tackling and quick feet.  Amavi’s interception per game and tackles per game statistics are far greater that both Gibbs and Monreal’s.

Wenger is clearly in the market for a new left back. As the transfer market rumour machine starts to stoke its engine, Arsenal have been linked with several left backs. Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, Raphael Guerreiro of Lorient, Celtic youngster Kieran Tierney and Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez have all been linked with a move to London.  Having already spent £30 million on Granit Xhaka, it seems that Arsenal have far from finished in the transfer market.

Despite wanting to hold onto Jordan Amavi, Aston Villa will be enticed by any reasonable offer for the player.  Arsenal’s spending ability may well bring the French Under 21 international to the Emirates.  Unlucky to pick up such a season ending injury, Amavi will be keen to get back on the pitch and the lure of more Premier League football with Arsenal could be too tempting.

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