If reports are to be believed, Arsenal have signed Sead Kolašinac on a free transfer, so who, exactly are Arsenal getting? We spoke to Bosnian, Amar Buljubašić, to get the lowdown on the 23-year-old defender.
If this Bosnian international is close to joining Arsenal, here are a few reasons why it could be a great move for both the player and the club.
Known as the “Bosnian Hulk” or “The Tank” in his home country, Sead is probably ready for Premier League in terms of his physical development. He has grown up in Germany, and he has been educated as defender in the German way, but he has a Bosnian and Balkan mentality. A little bit of a weird combination, but it could be effective.
Personally, he is only player from our national team that I would love to see in an Arsenal shirt at the moment (not even Džeko or Pjanić).
Young but very strong, Kolašinac is a real fighter, good at tackling, and always ready for a battle. He can also contribute a lot in both defensively and offensively.
He is still really young and there is a lot of room for improvement. Kolašinac can play in a few positions and he is free in summer, having moved to Schalke on a free in 2011 from Stuttgart.
Kolašinac has a great ‘mental strength’ which will no doubt appeal to Arsene Wenger. He scored an own goal in the Bosnian’s first ever match at the World Cup (against Argentina in 2014), but after that, he played with the confidence of an experienced player, able to put the misfortune behind him quickly.
He also had a long-term injury a few years ago, but has recovered and won back his place in starting 11 of the Schalke team. Kolašinac would arrive at Arsenal with a few seasons at the highest level already behind him. He speaks German, and I think he already speaks English, so it should be easy for him to adapt.
This year, Kolašinac has looked great in the Bundesliga, even if we can’t say the same for his club. He plays as a left-back, but also can play as centre-back and defensive midfielder.
Maybe he doesn’t quite have the quality for Arsenal yet but he is not far away and is already much better than Monreal or Gibbs. Kolašinac is a big upgrade!
What he can bring to Arsenal?
He can ‘wake up’ the little princesses in our team as he is big fighter, and a committed player.
Kolašinac has great personality, and has shown leadership characteristics at a young age.
His Balkan mentality means that he is always ready to argue, scream, and to be cold-blooded – something Arsenal are sorely lacking. Sometimes, however, he gets it wrong and shouts when there is no reason, something I’m sure he will work on as he ages.
Kolašinac can certainly improve Arsenal’s back four and can bring something different to the team without needing a lot of time to settle in. He is a serious talent, ready for a big challenge, and the best league in Europe is the best one for him.
As a Bosnian and a big Arsenal fan, I would love to see him at the Emirates, and I don’t say that just because he is from my country. I say it because I really love Arsenal, and I really rate Sead Kolašinac.
I think that he could be ‘bingo’ for us.