Despite being a legend across the days of Championship Manager to many gaming football fans, not much is known about Kim Kallstrom outside of France and Sweden. The Swede was renowned as a hot property back in 2001, and across the halcyon days of the early 2000’s, he was scouted by some of the biggest names in Europe.
For various reasons, a big move never arose until 2006 when he finally moved to Lyon, which still wasn’t the standard of club that many had expected him to join, when he finally did make it to Champions League football. Between Rennes and Lyon, not many fans have a bad word to say about the midfielder’s dedication to his role. He enjoyed eight years of success in France, with several trophies to his name, yet there was still the odd moment of enigma to him, as he was constantly overlooked by the biggest clubs.
Arsene Wenger has belatedly taken the gamble – which it is due to how big a role he will be given in helping Arsenal attempt to end their trophy drought – and Gunners fans have not reacted too kindly, in general. After rumours of Julian Draxler and a couple of other big names, Kallstrom is not the man most believe is needed to steel up the squad. Cover for Olivier Giroud is what was needed, in the eyes of most.
However, the doubts over the man who never quite lived up to expectations (of the Championship Manager elite, anyway) could actually be integral to keeping title hopes alive and a good run in the FA Cup. With Aaron Ramsey out for six more weeks and Mathieu Flamini suspended for three games, the 31-year-old is expected to be thrust into the action sooner rather than later.
Despite him being seen as a direct replacement for the two aforementioned midfielders, he is more akin to Mikel Arteta in style. He can pass well, shoot from distance with explosive effect, and he has the discipline to hold back when necessary, as he has got used to his deeper role as he gets older. The Swede and Spaniard could, in fact, have too similar roles, but it will show over the next few weeks.
Watching Youtube videos and reading up on players can obviously be beneficial, but this player is a hard one to find things on. A lot of the stuff he does best is simple. No one makes montages on the unspectacular. If there was one thing to go on, it would have to be how he is remembered at former clubs. The one possible exception is at current parent club, Spartak Moscow, where he has been limited since joining, which could be most telling.
He has made 19 appearances for club and country since June, with seven being as a late substitute, although Wenger will know the quality he possesses. Just three goals since joining the club proves just how far back he has been pushed at times, and the assist rate isn’t much better. It is easy to see why many fans think Wenger may have made a mistake. However, do not jump the gun just yet, as he has a whole new role, which pins him back a little bit more than he used to play.
The stats are not very promising, but his ability to fit right into the Arsenal system is. He can play in a variety of positions, including wide on the left and in a few roles in the centre of the park. He is confident enough to take set pieces and is known for a lethal left foot, with dead balls a perfect opportunity for him to exploit it. His ideal position would be alongside a player who can happily sit back and soak up the pressure a la Flamini. This would allow him to venture forward just enough to affect both end of the pitch.
With some of the Twitter-army already calling for Wenger to explain his ‘poor’ decisions in the transfer window, despite the club sitting in second place, it is confirmed that the world can be fickle. He turned it around after the opening day defeat to Aston Villa, so what is to say he has changed that now? One slip against Southampton is not reason to slate his transfer policy. To an extent, slips against top sides later in the season probably won’t be either. The man has created a top side across the years and the players are still improving.
If Kallstrom is the man that was overrated and is finally getting a chance, does that make Wenger the man who was underrated and not being given a chance? Whatever the answer, it is a much better idea to wait out until May, before berating missed opportunities and issues unresolved. Maybe, just maybe, the Swede could live up to all that Championship Manager hype. For now, all Arsenal fans should make Kallstrom the man who is wanted – or at least until the summer.
*Editor’s Note: Kallstrom apparently suffered a back injury in his first training session with Arsenal and will be out of action for several weeks*
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