It was puzzling that Jesper Lindstrom was being linked with a transfer to Arsenal. With Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe at the club, Mikel Arteta’s options have been plentiful.
Yet despite numerically the difference between three and two being seemingly small, it is rather surprising how when the number of available options in a position drops from one to the other how a sudden sense of concern grows at how “thin” a side becomes. That is exactly what has happened after Arsenal confirmed Smith Rowe underwent groin surgery and would be back in training this December.
Suddenly a move for Lindstrom does potentially have more credibility. It was initially reported in Germany via The Evening Standard that Arsenal had reached out to the agent of the Danish international.
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Valued at a figure up to €35m (£30.7m) by CIES, it could take a sizeable investment by Edu to make the deal happen. A figure which is similar to the £34m paid for Fabio Vieira, a deal which many were surprised to see a price tag of such size paid in itself.
Even though there’s doubt in the feasibility of a move from the outside with three attacking midfield options, it surprised plenty of people when Arsenal moved for Ben White at the money suggested when areas of need appeared more pressing elsewhere. Yet, White has since become a massive part of this team in more than one position for Arteta.
Although, Smith Rowe’s latest injury in combination with these links to Lindstrom potentially hint that the club are looking to protect themselves at a minimum. Vieira and Odegaard have also missed games this season due to injury.
With how many games there are coming and the hope to progress in the cup competitions in the new year, Arsenal will need to cover all options. Furthermore, Lindstrom can operate in the wide areas as Smith Rowe has.
With the England international expected to come back this December for training, potentially January in terms of selection, were the club to sign Lindstrom this would present quite the challenge to Smith Rowe. It is a signal that his place in this squad is not guaranteed for the long term.
In fairness, nor should it be. This goes for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus too.
No player is bigger than the club and if a decision which sees the club get a better, more reliable, player come into the side at the cost of another that is how the most successful sides are run. Manchester City moved on the striker who has elevated the club to a top-of-the-table start to the season for Erling Haaland, a decision no one has begrudged.
If Lindstrom was signed at the expense of Smith Rowe and the Dane became a huge success, the decision to drop the Hale End starlet would scarcely see too much pushback. Although success is never a guarantee.
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