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Arsenal should go after Barcelona midfielder

By Matt English

LEGANES, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Rafael Alcantara alias Rafinha (R) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring their fifth goal with teammate Lionel Messi (L) during the La Liga match between Deportivo Leganes and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on September 17, 2016 in Leganes, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
LEGANES, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Rafael Alcantara alias Rafinha (R) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring their fifth goal with teammate Lionel Messi (L) during the La Liga match between Deportivo Leganes and FC Barcelona at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on September 17, 2016 in Leganes, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal could prosper if they go after Barcelona midfielder Rafinha

Arsenal head into the 2017/2018 season with high expectations. They finally made a high-profile signing at striker, bringing in Alexandre Lacazette. The club will be competing in the Europa League this season, however, as they finished in 5th the previous season. Dominance and success will be expected under Wenger this coming year.

One player that could help Arsenal achieve that success is Barcelona midfielder Rafinha. Brother of Bayern Munich’s Thiago, Rafinha also plays as a central midfielder. He has a great range of passing and can play deep or further forward if needed. The quickness and decisiveness Rafinha possesses makes him a perfect candidate for Wenger’s style of play.

Rafinha also played in a 3-4-3 formation at Barcelona, which means he will be used to having to track back and help defend. Having the mentality and more importantly the skill required to play in that type of system is something that bodes very well with Arsene Wenger. That is one of the main reasons he has signed Kolasinac, as he can play both sides of the ball.

There is also plenty of room to incorporate Rafinha in the Arsenal team. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and even Jack Wilshere have been linked with moves away from the Gunners, and Santi Cazorla has still not recovered from his injury. Given that Rafinha can play central or on the right, finding a spot for him in the starting eleven should be an easy task.

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At just 24 years old, Rafinha is at the prime of his career and should be starting regularly. The midfielders at Barcelona are brimming with experience and skill. Breaking into the first team takes something special, especially when trying to replace the likes of Iniesta and Busquets. A new club where Rafinha can get consistent minutes would do him the world of good.

Joining Arsenal may be a step down in terms of club notoriety but it will mean increased playing time for Rafinha. He would fit in the team well and knows the sort of system that Arsenal plays already. It may cost the Gunners a pretty penny to bring in the Brazilian, but with the players rumored out of the club and the skill Rafinha will bring to the team, the transfer should be seriously considered by the London club.

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