Malcom provided a superb assist in Bordeaux’s match against Troyes on Saturday night after his representatives visited London amid rumours of a transfer to Arsenal.
On Friday night, Malcom’s representatives travelled to the English capital and hinted at a move to Arsenal.
The day before, Brazilian paper Jornal dos Desportos claimed that Arsenal wanted a meeting this weekend to complete the deal, information that seems to have been backed up by the events of Friday night.
This prompted Arsenal supporters to watch closely as Bordeaux announced their line up on Saturday evening, but the winger started the match hinting that the two clubs haven’t got the deal over the line just yet.
Le XI de départ est connu !
Première pour Paul Baysse avec le maillot au scapulaire ! pic.twitter.com/hcnNE9T9SR
— FCGirondins Bordeaux (@girondins) January 13, 2018
If Arsenal still needed convincing that the 20-year-old is worth spending on, his performance didn’t do his chances any harm.
In fact, it only took 15 minutes for the Brazilian to assist Gaetan Laborde for the opening goal. And what an assist it was:
Malcom’s assist for Bordeaux tonight pic.twitter.com/WkquUN41ni
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) January 13, 2018
The winger performed impressively throughout until his 85th minute substitution.
He created three chances, found his target with three out of five of his crosses and won five duels. He also won two free-kicks and successfully completed 67% of his dribbles (statistics via Sofascore).
Playing on the right, Malcom didn’t exactly look like a direct replacement for Alexis Sanchez.
He did, however, show some of the creativity and pace Arsenal lack at the moment.
Many fans pointed out that the Bordeaux man seems more of a Theo Walcott replacement.
Malcom as Walcott replacement
Mahrez as Sanchez replacementI’d be very happy
— sam (@IwobiFlick) January 13, 2018
On the other hand, bringing Malcom in on the right would free Alex Iwobi up to move to his best position on the left.
Danny Welbeck can also play on the left.
Even if the Brazil u23 international is Arsenal’s only signing, he’d still be a good one.
Absolutely loving how we're all getting giddy over a 20-year-old Alexis replacement none of us had heard of two weeks ago. Proper Arsenal transfer window. pic.twitter.com/ey6xzYglcU
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) January 14, 2018