Arsenal legend Patrick Viera has delivered a high compliment to one player who has agreed a move to the Gunners during the summer transfer window
Patrick Viera has heaped praise on Arsenal target Manu Kone and labelled him the “best midfielder in France”.
Reports in Italy surfaced earlier this month that Kone, 25, has agreed personal terms on a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer. Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his midfield and has identified the 2001-born talent as a top target, after impressing at Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach before that.
But Kone struggled with injuries towards the end of the season and was named on the bench for France’s Group I opener against Senegal last Tuesday. He did, however, return to the starting XI for the second group game against Iraq and impressed as Les Bleus romped to a 4-0 win.
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Kone kept his place in the side for the final group match against Norway and was once again instrumental as Didier Deschamps’ men soared to a 4-1 win to make it nine points from a possible nine and finish as group winners.
Although Kone’s standout attributes are his defensive ones – such as tackling, interceptions and winning duels – he has a lot more to his game than that. He showed against Norway that he can be a threat going forward, too, making several progressive passes and getting into high attacking positions, inevitably having the one shot.
Before the game, Arsenal legend Viera had high praise for Kone and has all-but given the Gunners the green light should they hope to land his signature this summer.
“He had a really good season in Serie A with Roma,” Viera told ITV. “He came to the World Cup after a couple of injuries. It has been quite a difficult season for him.
“He is for me today the best midfielder in France. I’d put him ahead of [Aurelien] Tchouameni and [Adrien] Rabiot, because he has this mobility, he is aggressive, he is a ball-winner, and he has the technical ability to be part of the build-up, has the facility with the ball to break lines and move forward.”
When described as a ‘water carrier’ by Roy Keane, Viera shut down that suggestion, saying: “I don’t really like that word, water carrier. He will win the ball, but he has something more than the others, as he can play forward.
“Sometimes Tchouameni can give you a little bit of frustration, too many passes sideways or backwards, but he’s got more passes going forward.”
Should Arsenal sign Kone, he would compete alongside Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Myles Lewis-Skelly for a place in the XI next season.
He has the potential to be the perfect partner for Rice, as Kone can sit in the deeper No.6 role and allow Rice to venture forward and get into attacking positions.
