Arsenal Opinion: Gunners should sign Walter Kannemann to solve their defensive woes
According to The Sun, Arsenal have tabled a £10.5 million bid for Gremio’s Argentinian international centre-back Walter Kannemann, with reports claiming that Gunners boss Unai Emery is keen to bring the 28-year-old to the Emirates this summer.
The Sun claims that Serie A outfit Sampdoria are also in the race to sign Kannemann but the Gunners are determined to outbid the Serie A outfit and win the race for the experienced centre-back.
Kannemann has never played in Europe before but he is highly-rated at Gremio and widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the South American leagues. The 28-year-old rose through the youth ranks at his boyhood club San Lorenzo in Argentina and spent four seasons in the Argentinian top-flight before moving across the continent to join Mexican giants Atlas in 2014.
The 28-year-old subsequently moved to Brazilian club Gremio in 2016 and has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell, winning the 2016 Copa do Brasil, 2018 Recopa Sudamericana and the Campeonato Gaucho on a couple of occasions.
Kannemann played a key role in the club’s 2017 Copa Libertadores success, which was the second time that he lifted the continent’s greatest most prized honour after winning it back in 2014 with San Lorenzo.
Kannemann has made over 200 career appearances for reputed clubs like San Lorenzo, Atlas and Gremio and was handed his senior international debut for Argentina last year. The 28-year-old currently has 5 senior caps under his belt and he looks good for many more in the years to come.
Standing at 6ft with a stocky and well-built frame, Kannemann isn’t the tallest of defenders but he is more than capable of outmuscling the opposition with his physicality, while also possessing the athleticism and the game-reading ability to win headers inside the box.
Quick across the ground and very strong on the tackle, Kannemann is noted for his tenacity, determination and high levels of composure, although he does tend to get a bit too rough at times. To add to that, he is very calm and composed with the ball at his feet and has a good range of passing which allows him to play out from the back effortlessly, meaning that he would be a perfect fit for Unai Emery’s philosophy.
Kannemann boasts of a pass success percentage of 82.9, including 4.3 successful long balls, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 4.3 clearances and 3.3 aerial duels per game in the Brazilian league this season, figures which speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a defender.
To put things into perspective, it is a no-brainer that Arsenal need to look for upgrades on their defensive options after conceding 51 goals in the Premier League this season and Kannemann could be an excellent signing for the Gunners this summer. The 28-year-old has enough experience in his locker to replicate his heroics in English football and Arsenal could potentially have a gem on their hands for a bargain price.
Shkodran Mustafi has been slammed numerous times by the fans and the pundits for his bizarre defensive errors and the Gunners would do themselves a world of good by getting him off their books this summer, while a replacement for ageing club-captain Laurent Koscielny should also be on the manager’s wishlist. Sokratis, Mavropanos and Rob Holding are all useful options but they have all struggled for form and fitness this season.
Arsenal have shown plenty of promise in their first season under Emery and the Gunners have a chance to end the season with some silverware if they manage to beat Chelsea in the Europa League final towards the end of the month, which would also see them qualify for the Champions League.
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The Gunners need to get their defensive problems sorted out before the start of the next season and the acquisition of Walter Kannemann would be a massive statement of intent from the club.
