Arsenal receive ‘positive report’ on player after scouting mission during Newcastle loss
Arsenal allegedly obtained a favorable assessment of Fenerbahce’s player Ferdi Kadioglu after having their scouts observe him on Saturday.
Despite the Gunners’ loss to Newcastle in the Premier League, it’s said that one of their scouts specifically monitored the adaptable Turkish international during the Trabzonspor match.
Arsenal’s focus was primarily on the first-team match at St James’ Park, where Anthony Gordon’s contentious second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for the Magpies.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed frustration over the decision to permit Gordon’s goal after an extensive VAR review. Less than 24 hours later, Arsenal released a statement supporting their manager’s stance and called for enhanced refereeing standards in the Premier League.
During the game, off-field club affairs persisted. Arsenal’s scouting network extends across Europe, and at the time, one of their scouts was located in Turkey.
Fenerbahce clashed with Trabzonspor in a Super Lig match that commenced at 4 pm, overlapping with the Arsenal game against Newcastle. According to Turkish outlet Sports Digitale, Ferdi Kadioglu was reportedly a player under Arsenal’s radar.
Kadioglu participated in the entire match as Fenerbahce suffered a 3-2 defeat, with former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe scoring for Trabzonspor. The report suggests that Romain Poirot was the Arsenal scout present at the game and provided positive feedback about the 24-year-old.
Kadioglu showcases versatility, operating as a full-back on both sides of the defense and in central midfield. Initially hailing from the Netherlands, he joined Fenerbahce in 2018 and has earned 13 caps for Turkey since his debut last year.
Ferdi Kadioglu boasts an impressive record at Fenerbahce, having made 164 appearances across various competitions, where he has notched up 15 goals and 20 assists. Additionally, Kadioglu secured a four-year extension in March 2022, leaving him with two and a half years left on his current contract with the club.
While Ferdi Kadioglu might not be a widely recognized name among Arsenal fans, his profile aligns with the type of player often sought by Mikel Arteta.
Arteta has displayed a preference for versatile players in recent transfer windows, exemplified by his interest in Jurrien Timber, known for his ability to cover multiple positions along the backline, similar to Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arteta’s approach involves a modern tactical style where he prefers full-backs to invert, contributing more centrally.
This strategic shift in positioning is seen in players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, who transitioned from playing in central midfield to adapting as a full-back for both his club and national team. Kadioglu’s capability to operate in midfield suggests he could potentially adapt to Arteta’s system, contributing to the inverted full-back role as desired.
Arsenal receive ‘positive report’ on player after scouting mission during Newcastle loss