'Marco Asensio is an Arsenal type of player'

Stuart Hodge

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:54 CDT
• 6 min read

Steve McManaman reckons Marco Asensio would be an ideal signing for Arsenal as the Real Madrid midfielder continues to struggle for game time at the Bernabeu.

The Englishman reckons the 25-year-old would be perfectly suited to a move to the Emirates Stadium and insists it's time for Asensio to move for the good of his career.

After being a bit-part player under Zinedine Zidane, the Spain international has started just four games this season in all competitions under Carlo Ancelotti.

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Liverpool and Arsenal have both been linked with a move but McManaman reckons North London is a more suitable destination rather than his old club.

Speaking to Horseracing.net, McManaman said: “Marco Asensio hasn’t played enough at Real Madrid. His reputation was probably better two years ago when he first came onto the scene and scored a bunch of lovely goals, in the Champions League final against Juventus in 2017 in Cardiff and in the Super Cup, a lovely goal, against Barcelona.

“But since then he’s had injuries and of course Real Madrid aren’t the team that they were four years ago, and his level has come off.

“It all depends on what Asensio himself wants to do and, secondly, what Real Madrid are going to do; whether they’re going to bring [Kylian] Mbappe in, if they’re going to try and bring [Erling] Haaland in as well – and that will determine Asensio’s decision.

“I know lots of players who have been at Real Madrid. Because they’re Spanish, because they love the capital, because they love the lifestyle, because they love playing for a team like Real Madrid, they’d quite happily stay, and stay, and stay, without playing a huge amount of football.

Asensio is low down the pecking order at Real Madrid

“Asensio may be one of those players but if [Karim] Benzema’s in front of him, Mbappé’s in front of him, if he thinks Vinicius Jr’s better than him, Rodrygo’s ahead of him, and the opportunity is there to leave, then maybe he will take it.

“If it was a club next year I’d say it would be Arsenal. [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang’s coming to the end of his career – or he’s certainly into his thirties – and with [Alexandre] Lacazette in a similar position and coming to the end of his contract, Asensio could be at a club where he’d probably have more joy of playing. If he’s to leave in 18 months, it’s still a long, long way away.

“But I think he’s an Arsenal type of player, like an [Martin] Ødegaard, who’s good on the ball, not necessarily really quick, but turns well, scores goals and makes chances.”