Arsenal are closing in on a loan move for Javi Manquillo according to La Provence. The report states that any loan move would have an option to buy the defender for a fee in the region of £7million.
Arsenal have also signed Mathieu Debuchy and so two new right backs look as if they will arrive at Arsenal this summer, with Carl Jenkinson and Hector Bellerin likely to be loaned to Premier League or Championship clubs as they look to gain some experience.
The news of two right backs arriving will be a blow for Carl Jenkinson, as with Sagna leaving, it seemed the perfect opportunity for him to flourish. Arsene Wenger had recently given his support to the full back saying that he would play a part this season, but this remains unlikely, especially if Arsenal can tie up a deal for Manquillo.
Manquillo is a 5ft 9 right back started seven times for Atletico’s first team last season, after being a regular in their ‘B’ side. Marseille were also heavily interested in making the player their first choice right back for next season, so he is clearly talented.Â
Manquillo plays as a right-back, and is right-footed as you would expect. His main strength is his blistering pace which he uses to bomb into space in the attacking third and quickly get back into position when he loses possession further up the pitch. His pace filters through into every aspect of his game and is the centrepiece of his skill set.
Read: Javi Manquillo Scout Report
When tackling, Javier likes to sprint into challenges and steal the ball from his opponents using clever toe-pokes and standing tackles. However, the 20-year-old’s tackles aren’t always successful, and his tendency to rush into challenges allows attackers to slip past him too easily at times. His pace does although him to correct these errors, but I doubt he’d be able to do the same against higher level opposition.
But don’t be fooled into thinking Javier is a poor defender. He possesses a lot of attractive qualities that help him keep the opposition at bay. His enthusiastic tackling technique is very successful when his teammates press alongside him, with attackers becoming overrun and forced to retreat or forfeit possession. If Arsenal were on the front foot against lesser opponents, Javier’s style would help us win the ball back higher up the pitch – forcing opponents into making mistakes.