Miguel Almirón was linked with a move to Arsenal last year and the rumours have started circling again.

In January 2017, he moved from Lanus in Argentina to Atlanta United in MLS and has taken another step forward as a player. His team burst onto the scene, with massive crowds and now sit top of their conference.

But what makes the 24-year-old Paraguayan from relatively unknown clubs (at least to most European sides) so special, and would he be a quality signing for Arsenal?

Next, playing style…

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1. Playing style

Almirón has flourished since moving to Atlanta and playing in former Argentina and Barcelona manager Tata Martino’s system.

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Almirón has 12 goals and 13 assists for Atlanta this season in 33 appearances.

He has formed a deadly partnership with striker Josef Martinez, a pacey forward with very intelligent movement.

Playing as a central playmaker in a 4-3-3, Almirón has been given freedom to roam the field. He pops ups everywhere in the final third and excels at playing the final pass to slice through a packed in defence.

Where Atlanta have been most deadly though, is on the counter-attack.

Almirón has combined with lightning-quick forwards Tito Villalba and Martinez all season, ravaging all of MLS with efficient and quick counters.

Here is an assist that is a bit of both:

The passion and work rate are both there. He would bring a spark to an Arsenal team that have been accused (rightly or wrongly) of appearing careless in recent seasons.

Before Arsene Wenger left, Arsenal sometimes had two separate squads: players they used when they knew opposition would be packed in, and players they utilised when the match would be more of a back-and-forth affair.

Miguel Almirón is a deadly playmaker both on the counter and against packed defences, and would certainly be an asset to Arsenal.

Next, goals, goals, goals…
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