One Arsenal transfer target was able to answer criticisms from Ian Wright and Martin Keown with his performance in a Euro 2024 semi-final.
England were able to secure passage to the final of Euro 2024 with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday night. The Three Lions will take on Spain on Sunday with the right to be crowned champions of Europe on the line.
Gareth Southgate’s side deserved to beat the Dutch in this semi-final, but things didn’t start well for the Three Lions. With just seven minutes on the clock, Xavi Simons picked the pocket of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice in the England half.
Simons still had a great deal to do, though, but he did it in spectacular style. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder touched the ball out of his feet, before unleashing a crisp strike from range. The ball flashed into the top corner, beating Jordan Pickford with the pace and power on the shot.
Mikel Arteta will surely have been watching the match, and will certainly have been impressed by the PSG ace’s strike.
Arsenal have beed credited with an interest in signing Simons this summer. The £43 million playmaker would represent an exciting addition to the Gunners’ ranks, and could help the North London club out in a number of areas.
Simons is a versatile player, able to operate centrally or on either flank, meaning that he would be able to offer cover and competition for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and could also feature in the left-eight midfield role just behind the striker.
However, Arsenal have recently been warned off making a move for the Dutch starlet.
Xavi Simons hits back at Arsenal legends Ian Wright and Martin Keown with display v England
Two Arsenal icons, Martin Keown and Ian Wright, had previously been critical of Simons during his Euro 2024 campaign.
Keown claimed that he lacked end product. Meanwhile, Wright felt that Simons could not do enough to impact matches in a significant way.
Whilst he was ultimately on the losing side on Wednesday night, Simons was certainly able to impact the game and deliver end product.
Do Arsenal need to sign Simons this summer?
Simons certainly has huge potential, and is capable of the spectacular as he proved against England. However, there is rawness to his game, and he is not yet a particularly consistent performer.
For all of his quality, Simons would not take Arsenal to the next level.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
