Arsenal warned by club legend: Summer target 'flatters to deceive'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 Jun 2024 10:50 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that Xavi Simons 'flatters to deceive.'

The young Dutchman is currently back in Germany for Euro 2024 and he even started the Netherlands' opening game against Poland after a stunning season with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

However, Simons struggled to leave a lasting impression on the match and was hooked by head coach Ronald Koeman after 62 minutes. Shortly before his substitution, BBC commentator and Arsenal legend Martin Keown gave his thoughts on the Dutchman.

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He accused Simons of 'flattering to deceive' and having little end product. “Running everywhere, okay, does he flatter to deceive? Is there really an end product? It’s pleasing on the eye, but I don’t know how much he really creates,” Keown said.

Indeed, Simons' showing against the Poles may serve as a warning to some of the clubs that are interested in him, chief among them Keown's former side Arsenal.

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Simons has been on the move quite a bit in his still-young career. A product of Barcelona's La Masia academy, he eventually left for PSG after feeling that his pathway to the first team was blocked.

However, he eventually departed Paris too after again failing to break into the senior side, joining PSV in his native Netherlands. He impressed in the Eredivisie and carried that form into the bygone season with RB Leipzig after PSG triggered their buy-back option.

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Simons is coming off a campaign in which he netted 10 goals and recorded 15 assists, but the 21-year-old certainly divides opinion despite his obvious talent. It is possible that the creative attacker could struggle in less open and more demanding competitions such as the Premier League.

Nevertheless, interest in his services is high despite the fact that PSG don't want to sell him. On Monday, it was reported that Arsenal were willing to make a loan move for the Dutchman, while Man Utd were seeking an unlikely permanent deal. The Gunners will certainly be keeping an eye on his next Euro outings before making a concrete approach.