Arsenal’s young Algerian midfielder Ismael Bennacer joined Empoli on a permanent deal yesterday, but surprisingly supporters weren’t too upset seeing the promising player exiting the Emirates.
Arsenal confirmed yesterday that the 19-year-old had left the club permanently, having made just one senior appearance. The Algerian was a highly-rated player at the club and had impressed on loan at Ligue 2 side Tours.
However, with no obvious path to the first-team, he’s taken the opportunity to join another club in hopes of getting more football.
Having not made much of an impact at Arsenal, fans weren’t too upset to see him leave and have wished him well for the future, while also hoping that it’s a harbinger of things to come.
Jenko, Bramall & Bennacer out as of today. Club desperate to offload in order to bring in talent. Good start to the week in that regard #AFC
— Schwinnsteiger (@LacaGunman) August 21, 2017
Ismael Bennacer has joined Empoli on a permanent deal Hope he does well in Serie B #AFC #Arsenal
— Arsenal Fans Fanatic (@PRTheArsenalFan) August 21, 2017
Bennacer officially joins Serie B team Empoli permanent deal. Another player leaves #Arsenal. Time for new players to come in ! #AFC
— Arsenal 1886 FC (@Arsenal_1886_FC) August 21, 2017
It’s doubtful that the sale of a 19-year-old will have had much impact on Arsenal’s transfer business. Bennacer wasn’t a part of the first-team squad and not one of the 33 that Wenger often brings up.
Arsenal would have been able to bring in another midfielder even if he had remained at the club. Bennacer joined the Gunners in 2015 and made one appearance against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup.