Arsenal are scanning the market for a new left-winger and Real Betis' Abde Ezzalzouli could be a great option this January
Abde Ezzalzouli
Abde Ezzalzouli is one of the most exciting players on the left-wing market and that's why he could be of interest to Arsenal
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As Arsenal continue to assess the left-wing market, there is one left-field name they ought to seriously consider: Real Betis starlet Abde Ezzalzouli.
There were a few mutterings of Premier League interest last summer with Aston Villa and Newcastle among those linked but Ezzalzouli instead remained in Seville, where he is developing at a really impressive rate.
The Moroccan, a slick right-footed dribbler that likes to glide inside, has a similar profile to that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. While the Georgian, who recently ruptured his ACL in PSG's 4-2 win over Barcelona, is in a league of his own where left-wingers are concerned, Ezzalzouli does have a very high ceiling.
He did of course have a spell with Barca between 2021 and 2023, so he is no stranger to playing for a big club. He's also had crucial European experience with Betis and has worked under a top manager in Manuel Pellegrini, who has made the 24-year-old a key component in his team.
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Ezzalzouli is also only 24, meaning there is plenty of scope for him to develop and reach new heights over the coming years. Working under a Spanish-speaking manager in Mikel Arteta - and that's without even considering Arteta's coaching quality - would ease his transition and there are already no doubts over his footballing ability.
Just look at his Champions League stunner against Porto last month when the forward curled home expertly from range into the top corner.
Last season he racked up 10 goals and nine assists across all competitions and he is already on course to better his goalscoring numbers this term having already found the back of the net four times.
The reason his name should come into play is that the left-wing landscape is a little complex at the moment. Arsenal might still want to keep their powder dry until next summer, when more options might open up.
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
Abdessamad Ezzalzouli should be on Arsenal's radar
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The Gunners looked at Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior but were unable to land either player. In the end, PSG's Bradley Barcola was considered too expensive and he ended up joining Liverpool.
Arsenal instead signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34million and have also utilised Eberechi Eze on the left, even though he is more naturally an attacking midfielder.
Now there is space to sign a ceiling-raiser. Where that's concerned, Ezzalzouli feels a bit of a gamble in a sense because you'd be investing in a player in the hope they'd reach that level.
Antonio Nusa is being tracked but RB Leipzig appear adamant the Norwegian won't be sold in January. Eli Junior Kroupi is rated very highly but is a centre-forward, not a winger. Liverpool are trying to tie Rio Ngumoha down to a new contract, too.
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Other names have been linked and mentioned but it's a tough market and that could mean Andrea Berta may need to pull a rabbit out of the hat.