Arsenal Opinion: Gunners should sign Joe Aribo for free in the summer
According to the Mirror, Arsenal have sent their scouts to keep close tabs on Charlton Athletic midfielder Joe Aribo with a view to a potential move in the summer.
The 22-year-old has been one of the cornerstones of Charlton’s successful campaign in the League One this season, contributing with 6 goals and 2 assists from 26 appearances and playing a key role in their surge to 5th in the standings.
Lee Bowyer’s side are very much in the race for securing promotion to the Championship through the playoffs but the Addicks face the risk of losing one of their highly-rated young talents, with Aribo out of contract in the summer.
Aribo began his career with Isthmian League side Staines Town before being signed up by Charlton in 2015. The 22-year-old has developed into a fine young player at south-east London, accumulating a total of 12 goals and 12 assists from 84 appearances for the Addicks in all competitions.
Aribo is not the only player from Charlton’s youth ranks to have made a mark elsewhere, with the likes of Ezri Konsa and Karlan Grant being amongst those to have flourished at Brentford and Huddersfield Town in recent times.
With Aribo set to be available for free at the end of the season, Arsenal might as well make an effort to capitalise on the situation and lure the young prodigy to north London next season.
Enjoying a fruitful spell in League One doesn’t necessarily guarantee success in the Premier League as the difference in the level of competition between the top tier and the third tier of English football is massive but Aribo is a player with massive potential.
The 22-year-old might not be the finished article just yet but he can certainly make the step up to the top flight and for a top-six club provided he is given the right kind of coaching.
Arsenal probably won’t get a better chance to nab him from under the noses of other clubs and the Gunners should sign him up in the summer and ship him out on loan to allow him to continue his development.
It would be difficult to consider Aribo as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsey who is set to depart the club in the summer.
Arsenal’s interest in the Charlton ace is expected to be a part of the club’s long-term plans and it is unlikely that Aribo would be catapulted to the first-team should a move materialize.
However, Unai Emery is known for investing fearlessly in unproven young talents, as evident from the acquisition of Matteo Guendouzi from French second-tier side FC Lorient.
Hence, if Aribo impresses the manager during the pre-season tour, the fans might get a glimpse of him playing in the Premier League next season.
A tall, strong and powerful central midfielder, Aribo is known for his good passing ability and has the strength to hold off the opposition in the middle of the park.
Noted for his drive, determination and high work-rate, Aribo likes to drive forward with pace and links up well with his teammates, whilst also having a penchant for scoring crucial goals. Furthermore, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty and cuts out attacks with crucial tackles and interceptions.
The Gunners are pretty well-stocked in central midfield, with the likes of Lucas Torreira, Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka all in the ranks and playing their part reasonably well. However, they should not hesitate to sign more young players to add to their squad depth and increase competition for places in the years to come.
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With that being said, Aribo is also an immensely talented young player and Arsenal should not hesitate to snap him up for free in the summer.
