The new Leicester City playmaker is one of the brightest talents in the Premier League this season. The 20-year-old Morocco international proved an immediate hit following his summer transfer from Genk. He was instantly a difference-maker for Leicester, notching three goals and three assists himself on the year. When you consider the circumstances he’s been forced to operate under in his debut season ever in England, his remarkable performance grows even more astonishing.
El Khannouss has brought some wow factor every match, going by defenders and hinting at his game-breaking potential on a week-to-week basis. He was instrumental as Leicester pulled off a stunning comeback in their final ever match at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium. Not only did he create the opening goal, but he was named man of the match!
“He said he was impressed by my play today,” – Bilal El Khannouss
Arsenal’s Ongoing Quest for Success
Yet, as Leicester rightfully knuckle down to celebrate El Khannouss’s achievements, Arsenal is still largely trying to figure out how to live with themselves. The club is understandably feeling the heat as they head into a fifth straight campaign without any silverware. Despite the efforts of manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s attack has struggled, especially in recent months.
For over three months, Arsenal has used a midfielder to spearhead its attack. More pointedly, this scenario starkly illustrates the franchise’s desperate desire for affective impactors. Midfield dynamo Kai Havertz arrived at the club in a mega-money deal. Moving forward, he is one of the team’s advancing few attacking signings in four transfer windows. Our other loan player, Raheem Sterling, is a rare addition to Arsenal’s offensive acquisition during this timeframe.
“It is a team that is very reliable. You don’t find very bad Arsenal performances. Even when they are not very good, they are still very competitive. It is one of the hardest teams to face.” – Nick Wright
Praise for Danny Welbeck and Reflection on Other Talents
In recent weeks, Danny Welbeck has received a fair share of praise for his productive work at Brighton. No wonder his historically dominant performances are mesmerizing fans and analysts all around the league. His ability to make everyone around him better has raised eyebrows and turned heads during the debate about who is effective, or not, on bad teams.
Ryan Sessegnon, whose absence has adversely affected Fulham this season. It really highlights just how important he was to their style of play. Given how the club struggled in his absence, that should serve as a clear warning signal on the importance of keeping that squad depth and quality.
Enzo Fernandez has been well on his way to becoming an elite attacking threat at Chelsea. His maturation underscores the fluid player personnel landscape within an ever-evolving league. None of which is to say that young players cannot have an outsized impact.
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola Weighs In
Amidst these discussions, Bournemouth’s manager Andoni Iraola shared his thoughts on the Premier League landscape. He expressed admiration for Arsenal, stating, “I think Arsenal is one of the best clubs in the world, not just in England.” His remarks almost capture the respect with which most view the club while it’s up to its neck in trouble on its many sordid issues.
Clubs are in the midst of reassessing their approach moving forward. The emergence of talents such as Bilal El Khannouss shows the wondrous potential and depth the league carries. The young Moroccan’s story of emerging as a bright light in dark times might set an example for other players going through acute adversity.
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