Former Manchester United and Everton winger Andrei Kanchelskis says Aleksandr Golovin will be a huge success at Arsenal.

  • Russian media claim Golovin is close to Arsenal move
  • The 21-year-old midfielder is a highly regarded talent in Russia
  • Kanchelskis believes he’ll be a starter at Arsenal

Reports from Russia last week claimed that the CSKA Moscow midfielder is close to joining Arsenal for £10m. Former Russia international Kanchelskis, who had spells in the Premier League with Manchester United – winning two titles – and Everton, believes he can be a big success.

“So what if he is playing football since childhood? It is necessary to use this chance to prove himself,” he said, reports the Express.

“If he joins, it’s probably not as a passenger. So, there are some plans for Golovin. I do not think Arsene Wenger would buy him to leave him on the bench.”

The 21-year-old is regarded as one the brightest talents in Russian football currently and there are some concerns that a move to England could be too big a change too soon. Kanchelskis, though, is confident he could adapt to the Premier League.

“On the football field, he will understand, this is not a problem. There is no need for large language knowledge.”

“At Arsenal it will be easier. There Alexander Hleb started to play, Andrey Arshavin at first showed himself well and played for six months.”

Should Golovin join Arsenal, he would be in competition with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil for a spot in the Arsenal team. This, though, isn’t a concern for Kanchelskis.

“Do not think that Golovin will sit on the bench. I am sure that he has very good chances to gain a foothold and play in the first team of Arsenal.”