As summer approaches and teams prepare for the transfer window to open, Premier League side Arsenal have already been linked with a clutch of new players.

Two Scottish stars are rumoured to being topping the North London club’s wanted list.

The Metro have stated that The Gunners want to bring in winger Ryan Fraser from AFC Bournemouth, while The Sun reported last month that Arsenal boss Unai Emery was looking at Celtic and Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney.

Both players would be welcome additions to the Arsenal cause, in my opinion.

Ryan Fraser can play on either wing but has predominately shone on the left-side for The Cherries this season. The Scottish international is also versatile enough to play as a number ten.

Only Eden Hazard and Christen Eriksen have created more than Fraser’s ten Premier League assists this term. He also managed to shine in a Scotland jersey, playing in two Nation Leagues games and scoring once and creating three more assists!

Scotland have a rich tradition of producing quality wingers but as of late the Scots have struggled to bring through consistent attacking wide-men in recent years.

But Ryan has shown us in the last year that he can be a star in England’s top flight. He has also managed to grab six goals. His pace and directness have cause plenty of problems for many a defence this term.

His presence in the Gunners team would give them a a great outlet to either push forward during counter attacks or push stern defences further back when his team are on the front foot.

At Bournemouth, Fraser’s ability to get the ball accurately into the penalty area has seen Cherries boss Eddie Howe get the best out of striker Callum Wilson. If Arsenal were to bring the winger to the Emirates, then Emery would hope that he could create even more chances for prolific hitmen Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

The twenty-five year old has told Sky Sports News that he was extremely flattered to be linked with a move to The Gunners:

“I’m not going to lie, it’s very nice. It means you are are doing something right,”

“They are a huge club, a massive club. When you see your name thrown around you always think to yourself that you are a Bournemouth player and you try to do well.”

“I’m not going to lie, you do feel good, especially when it’s a massive club.”

Arsenal will definitely be losing Aaron Ramsey come the summer. Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan haven’t been on-song this season and both have had their futures questioned in the last six months. While loanee Denis Suarez hasn’t done enough to merit a permanent move.

So the London giants will almost certainly need more attacking reinforcements come the next transfer window. Ryan Fraser, being a star turn in Premier League this year, would give the Gunners a boost in the final third!

I’m also sure that Unai Emery will be on the lookout for a new left-sided full-back.

Nacho Monreal isn’t getting any younger and the thirty-three year old’s contract comes to an end in the summer. Fellow left-back Sead Kolasinac has been a bit of a liability when tasked with more defensive duties.

Celtic star Kieran Tierney is a highly regarded left-back and maybe he could answer Arsenal’s problems.

The twenty-one year old has been a mainstay in the Scottish Premiership champions team for the past four years.

As well as being comfortable when going forward, providing extra width and a good ball into the box, Tierney is also tenacious and disciplined when defending.

Andrew Robertson has been a sensation at Liverpool and many a Scottish fan will tell you that Kieran Tierney also has a lot of talent. There’s not a lot between the two left-backs.

The youngster has also given a string of very competent performances on the European stage, both in the Champions League and Europa League. In 2017, Kieran was named in UEFA’s breakthrough Champions League team of the year!

He’s a player that will give his team 100% every time and who’ll always develop a bond with his club’s support because of his ability and determination.

In the past, Arsenal have had Scottish stars who gave their all for the red and white. Frank McLintock, George Graham and Charlie Nicholas all played for The Gunners with distinction.

I believe that Ryan Fraser and Kieran Tierney could be two current Scottish internationals that would shine at the Emirates if given the chance!

Posted on April 5th, 2019 by scott
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