Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has warned the Gunners from not signing the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma.
The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from the American Express Community Stadium throughout the summer and Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool were allegedly interested in signing the Mali international. However, a deal never materialised, the player stayed at the club and started the new campaign brilliantly.
Winterburn advised Arsenal to stay away from Bissouma:
The former defender Winterburn stated that Arsenal have enough firepower in the midfield position and Bissouma might struggle to find the first-team action at the Emirates Stadium. The new signing Albert Sambi Lokonga has already impressed the Englishman and alongside the Belgian Thomas Partey could form a very good midfield partnership. So, the 25-year-old might find himself fighting for first-team football at the north London club.
The former defender further claimed that the Mali international is not good enough to play for a top-four side in the Premier League. The 25-year-old would find it difficult to play regular football at the top clubs. He said:
“I’ve seen Yves Bissouma play quite a few times. He is a good player, but I don’t think I’ve ever been confident enough to come out and make that bold of a statement about a player. Bissouma probably won’t go to Arsenal, given who they have signed, unless the club wants to change things up further.
“I’ve been impressed with Albert Sambi Lokonga. Lokonga will be superb given what we’ve seen so far. Arsenal has Thomas Partey too. Do they need another player there? Potentially, but then he’d be fighting for the position. Is Bissouma even big or good enough for a top-four team? Looking at the current top four, he’d find himself on the bench a fair amount. One thing that is in his favour though is he has no shortage in self-confidence.”
Meanwhile, Brighton have started the new campaign brilliantly under Graham Potter and Bissouma has been an integral part of that success so far. The Seagulls are currently sitting sixth in the table with 13 points in six Premier League games, only one point behind the league leader Liverpool.
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