Manor Solomon: Who is the 20-year-old Arsenal target?

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal’s return to form of late has eased the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta and allowed the focus to shift on who the Spaniard may be able to bring into the club to aid his ongoing revolution.

The latest name linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium is 21-year-old Israel international winger Manor Solomon.

Currently plying his trade in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, Solomon has made a name for himself with impressive performances in the Champions League and on the international stage.

According to Football.London, the player would be “delighted” to make the move to north London, and Israeli ‘super-agent’ Pini Zahavi has already started talks between the club and the player after getting in touch with Arsenal technical director Edu.

So who is the young attacking talent, and why do one of England’s biggest teams potentially want to secure his signature?

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Zahavi reportedly offered Solomon to the Gunners’ former head of football Raul Sanllehi in May last year before the Spaniard left the club in the summer. Sanllehi’s departure put an end to any possible deal six months ago, but now a move to the Premier League could be back on for the flying winger.

Solomon started his career in his homeland with Maccabi Petah Tikva, where he scored eight goals and provided six assists in 73 appearances. That was enough for Ukrainian giants Shakhtar to spend £5.4m to secure his services in January 2019.

In his first half-season at his new club, he helped the Miners complete a domestic double and then played a key part as Shakhtar retained their top-flight title in 2019/20.

Solomon’s two goals and three assists in the last four games of the Ukrainian Premier League’s playoffs ensured Luis Castro’s men secured the club’s 13th league crown.

In the current campaign, the youngster’s performances have caught the eye once again. Five goals and one assist in 17 appearances in all competitions, including two strikes in Europe’s elite cup competition, has caught the attention of the continent’s biggest clubs.

After bagging against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last season, Solomon went one better this time around and struck in both games against Real Madrid, showcasing his ability on the biggest stage.

Arsenal have struggled in the final third this season, but have found a balance in recent weeks after shifting Bukayo Saka to the right-hand side, with Kieran Tierney providing the threat on the opposite flank from full-back.

With Solomon preferring the left-wing role, he could be the ideal addition to Arteta’s ranks allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to move back into the centre of the pitch and get back to his goalscoring ways.

The Gunners have also been linked with a move for free agent Diego Costa in this window.