Giovinco: Gunners Turn to Dazzling Atomic Ant After Cole Deal Collapses

Arsenal have been alerted to news in Italy suggesting Italian starlet Sebastian Giovinco is ready to leave Juventus after yet another frustrating season. The diminutive star was the shining light of the Azzuris U21 sides failed bid to win the European championships in Sweden last summer but hopes that his displays would herald a first team slot at Juventus did not pan out.Despite his impressive displays the 23-year-old is widely regarded as the best young prospect in Italy although he is struggling to earn a starting place in the Juventus side. However, Arsene Wenger is a huge admirer of the Italian and will consider a move now he has lost out to Liverpool for Joe Cole. He fits the Gunners managers ideals on his players as Giovinco is technically superb, quick and hungry.The players agent Andrea DAmico told Sky Italia: It is normal that the boy wants to play. His desire was to do it at Juventus, but if the plans of the coach dont involve him, it is necessary that he leaves and plays elsewhere.He will choose the project that will give him greatest security. Within two or three days everything will be sorted out.Bari coach Giampiero Ventura openly expressed his interest in Giovinco. He told Tuttosport: Giovinco in Bari could be a revelation. I think his arrival in Bari would be more important for him than for us.Id build a team around him and so he could express himself in the best way. He is very much suited to our game and he would have no problems integrating. Well see.Arsenal will have to move fast but Wenger has had a long-term interest in the player so will be aware of the players circumstances. The Gunners are looking to add more penetration and dribbling ability to the team and Giovinco has that in abundance. Like Tottenhams Aaron Lennon, the Italian is very small but can beat defenders for fun, he is arguably more suited to the Premier League despite his size as he is an all-action style play! er which is not appreciated so much in Serie A. The Emirates crowd would be sure to love him as he has the ability to excite crowds with his directness and skill.Giovinco has been linked to Liverpool, Arsenal and West Ham in the past but he had repeatedly declared his intention to stay with his boyhood club. However, he is still not considered a first team starter and started only 14 league games in the last two seasons. The summer arrival of Brazilian playmaker Diego last year made Giovincos first team chances even bleaker and it would seem from his agents comments that he finally feel his future lies elsewhere. A move to Arsenal would certainly suit the players natural style.Arsenal had been linked strongly with a move for the highly-talented Giovinco throughout last summer as speculation rose concerning his happiness at Juventus due to limited first team opportunities and contract disputes. The Gunners were rumoured to have bid 5.8m for the Juventus wonderkid which was subsequently rejected but Arsene Wenger has remained a keen admirer of the player. Giovinco is one of Europes finest young talents which were perfectly illustrated his talent at the Beijing Olympics as part of the Italian representative side.The 23-year-old spent the 2007/08 season on loan at Empoli where he certainly caught the eye. At 5 ft 4, the attacking midfielder is nicknamed the Atomic Ant but for what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in ability. Despite the youngster having played just 37 league matches (15 starts) for the Juventus first team, hes held in extremely high regard by the club and particularly the fans.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOWLast summers contract dispute with the club led to a fans protest after it was suggested that Arsenal were to set to move for the player with Robin Van Persie perhaps heading to Turin. A poll launched on the Juve fans vecchiasignora.com website ended with a staggering 89.! 5% votin g in favour of snubbing a potential Van Persie player-exchange offer for Giovinco from the Gunners. This shouldnt be too much of a surprise as the wonderkid has been hailed as the future of the club and heir to club legend Alessandro Del Piero. However, Juventus have a plethora of attacking talent on show at the club such as Del Piero, Diego, Trezeguet, Iaquinta and the Brazilian Amauri, so Giovincos chances are limited.During the 2007/08 season he was compared to arguably the best player in the world Lionel Messi by former Calgilari Coach Davide Ballardini who said, Juventus are the kings of the transfer market as Sebastian Giovinco drives me crazy.He has amazing qualities, he is unpredictable and he works well in the team.He has to be patient at the start and I believe Giovinco is Juves answer to Milans Ronaldinho.I saw Giovinco last year at Empoli and I may be crazy, but he is just as good as Lionel Messi.There is not much of a difference between the two.The local-born youngster joined Juventus in 2001 aged 14. Giovinco has since worked his way through the youth system into the first team squad. The Italian made his first team debut in May 2007 in a Serie B encounter with Bologna. Despite coming on as a substitute, the youngster illustrating his potential by setting up a David Trezeguet goal with an excellent pass.Arsene Wenger has been aware of Giovinco for many years through his extensive scouting network but was given no encouragement he could tempt him to Arsenal until now.A season-long loan at Empoli brought Giovinco to the publics attention. Despite impressing he did not do enough to keep the club in Serie A though he did make 35 League appearances (20 starts) and scored 6 goals. This included strikes against League runners-up Roma both home and away.The Juventus star has represented Italy from U16 level upwards and was voted Player of the competition last year at the U21 Toulon Tournament.! Italy m anaged to win the trophy for the first time in their history with Giovinco playing an integral role. This prompted a call-up to the Olympic squad for the trip to Beijing. Despite his lack of games with Juventus he is regarded as a future world class star. However, the players patience may be beginning to wear thin with Arsenal ready to swoop to bring him to the Emirates.Would you like to sign the gifted youngster or would you prefer to sign established stars? Lets hear your views.
World Soccer News | Video | Podcast | Gallery | Live Streaming