What’s common between ‘Stranger Things’ and Arsenal? ELEVEN, and that’s what we Gooners are talking about. 11 wins out of 11 is simply outstanding and Emery-ball is a delight to watch. However, one place where we need to improve in recent games is that of the left-back. Both, Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac are injured, which paved the way for Granit Xhaka to be the surprise-temporary left-back. He did play well but wasn’t anything close to magnificent. Against Leicester City, Stephan Lichsteiner played at the position but failed to impress. This makes way for Nicolas Tagliafico.
Tagliafico, 26, plays for Argentina and Ajax. He joined the Amsterdam club in January from Independiente in a £3.5 million deal. He has 10 caps for his country and has a contract until 2022 at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
His strengths include playing short definite passes, interceptions and scoring sublime goals. His weaknesses include discipline and height. He is a natural left back who loves to move forward and deliver beautiful crosses. One thing which impresses me about South Americans is their never say die spirit and work rate. Lucas Torreira has displayed it in the red and white of Arsenal and I hope Tagliafico does too.
Short Definite Passes
Throughout this season, we have seen Unai Emery emphasize on keeping possession and playing quick short passes. Tagliafico expertises in playing low-risk short passes. He would be a great addition with his agility too.
Interceptions
Tagliafico is quick and intercepts a lot. This would be beneficial in a time when the gunners want to counter-attack. With the pace and skill of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, our counter-attack to goal ratio is high. Tagliafico would just add to the success.
Magnificent Goals
Who doesn’t love a screamer? Tagliafico has proved that he doesn’t just have the qualities of a left- back but is capable of shooting like a forward. Monreal has consistently scored for us in recent seasons and Tagliafico adding to that would be a bliss. Enjoy his goal vs AEK Athens in the Champions League.
Two goals from El Capitano Nicolás Tagliafico including this golazo in Ajax Amsterdam's 3-0 win over AEK Athens. I think it's fair to say the left back position for Argentina is in good hands. https://t.co/IjfuC6nNoF
— Sivan John 🇦🇷 ⭐⭐⭐ (@SivanJohn_) September 20, 2018
Discipline
Tagliafico, receiving 4 yellow cards in his last 7 games doesn’t have the best of records. With the Premier League’s aggression, he is likely to receive more with the same mentality.
Height
Tagliafico will be a problem to the Gunners when defending corners and set-pieces. 169 centimetres is fairly short and playing left-back will require him to defend all the set pieces.
Overall, his benefits outweigh his costs and his recent performances prove to us that he will give it his all at the club. Plus, being an Argentine, Spanish is his first language, hence it would be easier to communicate with the manager and majority of the staff. It is rumored that Emery has sent scouts to Ajax with Newcastle also targeting him.
https://twitter.com/Sport4Now/status/1056055104577699841
I hope Magnifico Tagliafico is a gunner in the future.
COYG!
