Arsenal’s Sead Kolasinac proves there are still bargains out there, says Arsene Wenger
Bosnian left wingback inspires turnaround from a goal down at Emirates Stadium against Swansea
Arsene Wenger first made his name as Arsenal manager by discovering players that few rivals had spotted and signing them at bargain prices.
Victory in his 800th league game in charge, 2-1 against Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium, came thanks to another player who attracted few headlines when he arrived at the north London club.
Sead Kolasinac, the Bosnian left wingback, is unlikely to make the same sort of impact at Arsenal as Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, but his preseason arrival on a free transfer from Schalke proves Wenger can still spot unheralded talent.
Against Swansea, Kolasinac scored his third goal for the club, and his first in the Premier League, to cancel out a first-half opener by the visitors’ Sam Clucas. Kolasinac then set up the winner for Aaron Ramsey.
“Since he has arrived he has convinced everyone that he is a good signing,” Wenger said. “And when you see the quality of his performance today, you can see there are still some good deals to make out here.
“Kolasinac was decisive today because he scored and made an assist. He has the natural qualities that suit his position as a wingback, first that as a defender he is more offensive. And secondly because he has the body power in his game that you absolutely need in the Premier League.”
