Juventus manager Max Allegri has hailed Arthur Melo’s improvement after seeing a switch to Arsenal fail in the January transfer window.
The Brazilian was linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium throughout the window as Edu and Mikel Arteta attempted to bolster their midfield options.
He was seen as a priority target for the Gunners this winter but in the end a move failed to come to fruition as Arsenal and Juventus failed to see eye-to-eye on the duration of a loan deal - the Italians preferring an 18-month switch, whilst Arsenal only wanted to welcome him until the end of the current campaign.
Since seeing that move falter, Arthur appears to have re-established himself in the Juventus line-up.
He has appeared in each of the last four league matches for the Serie A giants - his joint-longest run of the season - and started the 2-0 win against Verona at the weekend for what was just his fifth league start of the campaign.
He turned in an impressive showing on the day and received plenty of praise from manager Allegri.
"Arthur is improving, he played very well on Sunday," he said.
“He’s like a child, always running behind the ball. Sometimes he has to handle himself a little bit more, but he put in a great performance against Hellas Verona. He has extraordinary technical abilities.”
Arthur has now made 16 appearances for Juventus throughout the current campaign, that following 32 outings in his debut season in Turin following a move from Barcelona.
It of course remains to be seen whether Arsenal will reignite their interest in the 21-time Brazilian international in the summer window.
The Gunners though still appear set to add to their midfield options ahead of next season. Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny continue to be linked with moves away from the club, whilst Albert Sambi Lokonga at the moment seems too raw to be named as Thomas Partey’s long-term midfield partner.
