ESPN pundit questions new Arsenal signing
Steve Nicol questions Arsenal's move to sign Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid
Steve Nicol has admitted that he doesn’t feel Dani Ceballos will solve Arsenal’s problems ahead of next season.
The Gunners confirmed on Thursday that they had agreed a deal to sign the 22-year-old midfielder from Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal, and that he will wear the number eight shirt for the north London side.
Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window so far and have elsewhere only signed Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli.
The north London side are thought to be on the lookout for a number of new signings in various positions, but they have a limited transfer budget and do not have the lure of Champions League football to attract new players.
Now, ESPN FC pundit Nicol has admitted that he can’t see quite why the Gunners looked to bring in a midfielder such as Ceballos this summer.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN FC, Nicol said: “I’ve got to say, when I’m looking at Arsenal, I’m thinking ‘right, they need to strengthen, no question’.
“But their problems are all defensive, at the back and in the middle of the park. And when you’ve already got Mesut Ozil, why are you going out and getting Dani Ceballos?
“You certainly can’t play both of them in the same team. So that means you’re going to play him ahead of Ozil?
“He’s a good player yes but as I said, Arsenal’s problems aren’t going forward. They score goals, they excite the fans, but they can’t defend.
“Dani Ceballos doesn’t help them in that department.”
Arsenal will commence their Premier League campaign with a trip to Newcastle United on 11 August.
The north London side finished in fifth place in the Premier League table and without a trophy last term under Emery, after they lost the Europa League final to Chelsea FC.
