Arsenal signing this 24-year-old midfielder would make for a smart summer addition

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Arsenal should make a move for AS Roma’s Bryan Cristante

According to CalcioMercato (h/t Daily Mail), Arsenal sent scouts to watch AS Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante in action against Lecce this weekend.

Bryan Cristante, 24, joined AS Roma on a season-long loan from Atalanta in June 2018. He impressed on loan at AS Roma, scoring four goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. On February 2019, Roma signed the midfielder’s deal permanent.

The Italian-Canadian has contributed one goal and two assists in 17 games in all competitions so far this season but has spent two months on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

Bryan Cristante of AS Roma in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Porto and AS Roma at Estadio do Dragao on March 6, 2019 in Porto, Portugal. (Getty Images)
Bryan Cristante of AS Roma in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Porto and AS Roma at Estadio do Dragao on March 6, 2019 in Porto, Portugal. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta focused purely on strengthening his defence in January by signing Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares from Flamengo and Southampton respectively. The Gunners have leaked 36 goals in 26 Premier League games this term, meaning Arteta was right in adding Mari and Soares last month.

When the transfer window opens this summer, Arteta should add more quality to his midfield department. Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira have looked solid in central midfield under Arteta, meaning the likes of Joe Willock, Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendouzi have become confined to a spot on the bench.

Ceballos joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, making 19 appearances for north London side. But as Ceballos will return to Madrid at the end of the season and Guendouzi having done little to convince Arteta, it is important for Arsenal to sign a midfielder ahead of the 2020/21 season. That being said, the Gunners must make a move for Bryan Cristante.

Cristante has impressed since joining Roma from Atalanta, scoring five goals in 61 appearances. He has been primarily used in a defensive midfield role by Paulo Fonseca for the Rome-based side. So far in his club career, the 24-year-old has netted 22 goals in 167 appearances.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Getty Images)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. (Getty Images)

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The seven-cap Italy international is a quality midfielder, who’ll add some much-needed depth to the Gunner’s midfield ranks. Having played close to 170 appearances in his club career, Cristante doesn’t lack experience either.

Verdict

Going by his performances at Roma over the last two Serie A campaigns, Cristante would be a smart signing for Arsenal. Thus, the north London giants must go for the Italian-Canadian in the summer.