On the transfer deadline day, after weeks of speculation that Arsenal will land an attacker and highly rated FC Schalke 04 star Julian Draxler, Arsenal came with only one arrival, which couldn’t have been guessed in a million years!
It was the arrival of Kim Kallstrom, who signed a loan deal with the club, until the end of the season. The experienced Spartak Moscow’s man, who was a huge part of the Lyon’s France domination, is signed as a cover for injured players in Arsenal, and Wenger expects that the Swedish international will provide much needed experience and tutorship to the rest of the young Arsenal midfield.
Kim Kallstrom played over 200 games for Lyon, before he was sold to Spartak in 2012. He also played over 100 games for the Sweden national team.
Kim Kallstrom at his spell with Lyon was best recognized as a player which has “a hammer” in his left leg. His long shots were a great danger to opponent goalkeepers, and he scored a lot of spectacular goals.
He is 31-years-old now, he began to fade in Lyon in 2012 and that’s why he was sold to Spartak. But, even now, he could prove as a fine addition to Arsenal squad.
Apart from his trademark long shot, he is a player who has great tactical awareness, and he is often regarded as a coach’s mastermind in the field. Also, he can cover all central midfield positions, playing as a defensive, cover man, as a deep lying or classical playmaker and even attacking midfielder, which puts him right into injured Aaron Ramsey’s role.
His flaws could be his lack of speed, inability to play a winger, and maybe even a lack of strength and physical fitness to play hard working EPL football. But, Arsenal have a lot of wingers, so he won’t be needed there, and he has great experience and intelligence, so he could capitalize on that, instead of relying on his physical attributes.
