Renato Sanches shows why Arsenal should NOT make a transfer move
Robin Bairner
- 12 Mar 2022 10:33 GMT
- 3 min read
Renato Sanches is one of those players who has been closely linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been screaming out for midfield reinforcements for weeks. Indeed, the Gunners boss said at the beginning of the January transfer period that signing such a player was a priority in his eyes.
Although Arsenal will also be chasing attackers in the summer – strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract – Sanches has been hotly linked with a move to the Emirates.
Related articles
In many ways, it is easy to see why the Portugal international star is an attractive prospect. After a difficult period in his career at Bayern Munich, Sanches has rediscovered his best level in France. Last season, he played a key role as Lille won a shock Ligue 1 title. This time around, he has been one of the few players to maintain his standards throughout what has been a testing campaign for LOSC.
Renato Sanches' big weakness
It has also been a season, though, in which Sanches’ major shortcoming has come to light, just as it did once again on Friday against Saint-Etienne in a Ligue 1 encounter.
Midway through the first half, Sanches limped out of the game, grasping his hamstring. Once again, he has succumbed to injury – and at an inappropriate time as his setback arrives at a vital time in the season.
Although the extent of the problem is not yet clear, it is evident that he faces another period on the sidelines.
It is the fourth time this season that Sanches has picked up a muscular injury. Indeed, he has already missed 11 matches of the campaign because of problems. These are not new concerns either: last season, he missed 14 games because of problems.
Sanches’ concerns may not be especially severe – he has missed a maximum of six weeks at any one time – but they should be enough to send a warning to Arsenal that the 24-year-old is perhaps not the ideal solution to their midfield problem. He may have the talent, but he just cannot stay fit.
