Arsenal is considering a move for Koln’s 20-year-old winger Said El Mala as they seek to address a gap on the left flank. With Mikel Arteta facing limited options, Christos Tzolis, the team's only specialist left-winger, is currently sidelined due to an injury sustained while on international duty. In his absence, Arteta has utilized Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze in recent matches. Though Arsenal has coped without a marquee left-winger so far this season, the importance of bolstering the squad remains a priority.
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El Mala has caught the attention of scouts after a solid first season in the Bundesliga, where he scored 13 goals. His rise, however, was hindered by former Koln coach Lukas Kwasniok, who kept him from being a regular starter. Despite expectations of a summer transfer, including interest from Brighton and Brentford, negotiations stalled, particularly with Dortmund, leading El Mala to sign a new contract with Koln.
Since then, El Mala has continued his momentum into the current season, scoring two goals and making his senior debut for Germany. His physical attributes—standing at 6 ft 2 in—along with his style of play, draw comparisons to club legend Lukas Podolski, who also made a significant move to Arsenal.
According to analytics firm SciSports, El Mala possesses high potential that surpasses all Arsenal attackers except Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. Koln director Thomas Kessler indicated the club's openness to transfer discussions but emphasized that they intend to retain El Mala at least until the end of the season. He stated, "If a top club calls at some point, we can certainly discuss a transfer," underscoring the player’s development focus.
While El Mala may not be the headline-grabbing signing Arsenal fans hoped for, he could represent a strategic acquisition for the club.