Denis Suarez Barcelona 2018-19Getty Images

How Arsenal could line up with Denis Suarez

Arsenal remain in talks with Barcelona over the loan signing of Denis Suarez until the end of the season as Unai Emery looks to bolster his squad in January.

Emery, along with head of football Raul Sanllehi, has identified the 25-year-old as a player to bolster the Gunners’ attacking options, with the versatile midfielder set to be reunited with a man who managed him at Sevilla during the 2014-15 season.

Suarez labelled Emery as “one of the best coaches around” at the time, and it is clear that he feels his compatriot would get the best out of him at the Emirates Stadium.

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“He is one of the best coaches around. He really gets the best out of us," Suarez told UEFA's official website. 

"He considers each and every one of his players and always puts those who are in the best possible shape in his starting lineup. I have been playing for him for a year and I am really happy.  

"He always talks to you, both in good moments - to prevent you being distracted - and bad, to help you recover. The way he treats players is exceptional.”

But where would he fit into Emery's system in north London?

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When questioned over where Suarez could play if he came to Arsenal, Emery mentioned that he played as a “left or right winger” during his spell at Sevilla. However, at Barcelona he has played in both central midfield and on the flanks.

He is predominantly right-footed but has featured on the left at Barca where he regularly cuts inside and feeds the forward players with his pin-point passing.

Although Arsenal have played with wingers sporadically this season, Emery is convinced that Suarez’s arrival would bolster their options on the flanks due to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s inconsistency and Alex Iwobi yet to produce regular goals and assists in attack

Suarez can also play in central midfield which will come in handy when Aaron Ramsey leaves for Juventus this summer, especially if the Gunners do activate a clause to buy the Spaniard.

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Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique once touted Suarez as Andries Iniesta’s long-term replacement and it’s clear that his versatility and technical ability are the two main reasons why Emery wants him at Emirates Stadium

"Why not? Players have to evolve. He has to improve. Iniesta is Harry Potter, he makes magic, and it is difficult to find another. But Denis is on the right path and I hope he can be Iniesta's heir. 

"Denis is the youngest player in the squad and one of the few players to leave Barca B and be able to return. That is because of taking care of the ball but also working hard off the ball, which some players forget about. 

"You have the ball for a minute or a minute-and-a-half in the game, so if you do not do well without it, you have no chance at this level. Denis understands that and he is well loved by his team-mates.”

Suarez will almost certainly fit into any system that Emery deploys and if the loan deal is completed this month it won't be a surprise to see him playing in both central midfield and on the flanks, as has been the case during his time at Barcelona.

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