Arsenal Opinion: Why the Gunners should go all out for Armando Izzo?

According to Italian news outlet La Stampa, Arsenal are set to hold talks with the agent of Torino defender Armando Izzo.

Armando Izzo, 27, only arrived in Torino last summer from Genoa and it’s not surprising to see the defender linked with a move away to a bigger club, following his solid performances for Walter Mazzarri’s side.

The report claims Arsenal, however, could face competition to bag the Italian’s signature as Roma and AC Milan are thought to be interested in the centre-back, who made 37 appearances in the Serie A, scoring four goals and assisting once.

Arsenal are in desperate need of a defensive shakeup, with Unai Emery’s side in need of quality options in central defence. Having conceded over 50 goals in the Premier League, it is clear that if the Gunners are to improve, they need to do a major surgery of their backline.

Currently, the only reliable centre-back at the club is Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Laurent Koscielny isn’t getting any younger and has only a year left on his contract, meaning the club could be tempted to cash in on their veteran skipper this summer. Rob Holding looked as though he’d nail down a place in Emery’s starting XI before he was hit with a nasty long-term injury.

Shkodran Mustafi has been erratic ever since joining from Valencia a few years ago and cannot be relied upon at the heart of Arsenal’s defence. Given the defensive conundrum Emery is currently facing ahead of the 2019/20 season, the Gunners would be right in splashing the cash on Armando Izzo.

Izzo quickly became an indispensable figure at Torino, following his move from Genoa last summer. He dished out a string of solid performances in Torino’s defence, helping Walter Mazzarri’s side finish seventh in the Serie A.

Standing at 6ft, Izzo isn’t the tallest of centre-backs, yet he doesn’t get shrugged off the ball easily. He is quick and agile and his giant leap helps him to win aerial duels against centre-forwards and be an influential player from set-pieces in both boxes. The Italian is a ball-playing defender, who isn’t afraid to come out of his line and make incisive passes to midfielders and wingers. He can also operate as a right-back when required.

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The ex-Genoa man is a well-rounded player and someone one that would certainly be an asset to any team. All his aforementioned qualities suggest that the 27-year-old should have no problem adapting to the Premier League and settling into Unai Emery’s system at the Emirates.

Verdict

Arsenal have been crying out for a commanding central defender for years now but could Izzo be the defender that the Gunners faithful have been wishing for? One has to wait and watch!