Arsenal would land themselves a bargain if they were to sign Grimaldo

 

During Kieran Tierney's spell on the sidelines last season, Arsenal lacked a key influence down that left flank. The 25-year-old ranked seventh for goalscoring chances created (20) of all Gunners stars in the Premier League, but it was the willingness to get the ball in the box that meant he was such an important goal threat from defence. 

 

Tierney made more crosses, excluding corners (79), of all Arsenal players in England's top tier last term, and did so with a respectable success rate of 20.3%. In his absence, Nuno Tavares faltered, and it could be that Arsenal are looking to raid the latter's former side to improve their options down the left. 

 

Alejandro Grimaldo has long been linked with a high profile move to one of Europe's top teams, yet any move has failed to materialise. Benfica may be hoping that does come to fruition this summer as Grimaldo enters the final year of his contract. The Liga Bwin side will be keen to retain the left-back's services, yet their hand would be forced by the possibility of losing him on a free in 12 months' time. 

 

That would see two key men depart in the same window after Darwin Nunez moved to Liverpool earlier this summer, yet while Benfica could command a huge fee for the Uruguayan, the same can't be said for Grimaldo. It's a risk for the Portuguese side, who are aware they'd need to either sell this summer or lose the Spaniard on a free next year. 

 

This would play into Arsenal's hands. Following the big money additions of Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira, the north London side are looking to invest further, notably in the middle of the park. Youri Tielemans is the priority in central midfield, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has also been linked with a move to the Emirates, however Grimaldo would be a top quality addition at left-back, and one who is rumoured to be available for as little as £6m. 

 

 

For a player of his attacking calibre, that would prove a steal in the current market. Grimaldo created more goalscoring chances (58) than any other defender in Liga Bwin last season, that ranking seventh overall in Portugal's top tier. While that figure is skewed a little in that Grimaldo was on set-piece duties for Benfica last season, with 23 key passes from set-piece situations the fifth best in the division, this would suit an Arsenal side that ultimately finished the season 14th in the Premier League in this metric (45).

 

Grimaldo, then, would offer an additional attacking threat and an alternative route to goal that had been found wanting for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta last season. Like Tierney, though, Grimaldo is one willing to throw the ball into the box in the hopes of creating a chance for teammates. A total of 106 crosses, excluding corners, ranked 10th in Liga Bwin last season, and while a success rate of 18.9% may have been slightly lower than Tierney, that is to be expected in attempting more. 

 

Crucially is that he'd bring more top-flight experience than Tavares, who did look a little out of his depth for Arsenal when called upon, so much so that a WhoScored rating of 6.61 from starts alone was the lowest of all Gunners players. This would ease the pressure on the 22-year-old when Tierney was sidelined and allow Arteta to utilise a similar attacking left-back as cover when required. 

 

With the increase in competitive matches next season following Arsenal's return to European action, they need experienced heads in all areas of the pitch, and Grimaldo would provide this boost for the Gunners. From an attacking perspective, the left-back would allow Arteta's side to dominate down this flank as they did so impressively when Tierney was available and with regular left wing options Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli prepared to cut inside, this opens up space for the overlapping left-back to exploit. 

 

There's a respectable reading of the game that would allow Grimaldo to cut the passing channels of opponents with ease before instigating attacks. A return of 1.1 interceptions was a modest return for Grimaldo and this willingness to break the ranks to snuff out the danger would help Arsenal on the offensive. 

 

If reports are correct and that Grimaldo is available for such a lowly fee, then it's a deal Arsenal should be all over. The 26-year-old's stock has plateaued somewhat, but the performance levels certainly have not. Premier League sides seem keen on raiding Portugal for the best talent in the country, and Arsenal have already done so in acquiring Vieira from Porto. 

 

With strength in depth across all areas crucial ahead of what may be a gruelling season for Arsenal, Grimaldo could prove a shrewd addition as competition for Tierney for that left-back squad for the north London side.

Arsenal would land themselves a bargain if they were to sign Grimaldo