Arsenal’s failure to land the signature of any of their right-wing targets may now be a blessing in disguise if the performance of Marquinhos is anything to go by.
The Brazilian teenager was handed his Gunners debut for the away clash with Swiss outfit FC Zurich on match-day one of the Europa League. He was, for large portions of the game, the best player on the pitch, scoring the first and assisting the second in a 2-1 Arsenal victory.
Such was the emotion coursing through him in the aftermath of his delightful right-footed finish, Marquinhos actually burst into tears. After being mobbed by his teammates, the winger managed to regain his composure and continue to wreak havoc.
Marquinhos was deployed on the right side of the Gunners’ forward line and looked more than comfortable there, providing his counterpart on that flank with a headache all evening. A constant thorn in Zurich’s side, the 19-year-old is clearly able to play at senior level.
With that in mind, Arsenal may not be as threadbare in that position as they first feared. Mikel Arteta’s desire to sign a new winger for his attack was well-documented as the Gunners lodged multiple bids for ex-Leeds United star Raphinha.
Once it became clear that the Brazilian international was Barcelona bound, Arsenal were touted with moves for a number of different players ranging from Pedro Neto of Wolves to Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk. In the end, the Gunners got no one.
According to club legend Martin Keown, that may not be too much of an issue. Discussing the former Sao Paulo talent on BT Sport, the ex-Arsenal defender said: “It’s the confidence, we talked about having that class in possession. I saw lots of that tonight from Marquinhos.
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“Look at that pass from Fabio Vieira, great ball into the channel, we talked about Nketiah and his movement, and then a great pass off his weaker foot. And then the finish! The ball just lifts before it comes into him and it’s a wonderful finish from him.
“The first of many, hopefully. He’s got a huge future ahead of him. That’s a real opportunity now ahead of him. Bukayo Saka is only a couple of years older himself, but such is the quality he’s going to get chances.”
The driving factor in the initial decision to pursue another right-sided attacker was to ease the workload of Saka. At just 21, huge pressure is placed on the Hale End-graduate’s shoulders but Marquinhos looks like is more than ready to act as the England international’s reliable deputy.
Arteta’s willingness to end the pursuit of another right-winger could go on to be regarded as the sliding doors moment that allowed Marquinhos more game-time at a crucial stage for his development.
