Record-breaking Ligue 1 goalkeeper Lafont hints at desire to join Arsenal

Posted Monday, February 26, 2018 by squawka.com

Toulouse goalkeeper Alban Lafont revealed he was a fan of Arsenal as a child while answering questions on his future.

Lafont, 19, has emerged as one of hottest prospects in world football since making his debut at 16 - becoming the youngest-ever goalkeeper to play in Ligue 1 in the process - while amassing over 90 appearances for the French outfit.

His impressive performances and young age have drawn comparisons to fellow teenage ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who himself has surfaced as one of the most promising talents between the sticks for AC Milan in recent years.

Born in Burkina Faso, Lafont's form has attracted interest from some of Europe's elite, who could be vying for his signature this summer.

However, the young talent has perhaps pledged his allegiance to Arsenal, with north London seemingly his preferred destination should he leave Le Tefece.

Speaking with French broadcaster's SFR Sport, Lafont said: "I've liked them since I was young - I'd watch the matches of Robin van Persie."

With questions mounting about Petr Cech's capacity to continue as Arsenal's main man in goal with the Czech international turning 36 in May, and with David Ospina's failure to claim the number one spot, Lafont's admission has perhaps come at the perfect time for Wenger.

Should Arsenal sign the talented youngster, they could potentially have a goalkeeper for the next 15 years.

Despite revealing his dream of a move to the Gunners, Lafont remained modest about his current situation, while admitting his devotion to current club Toulouse.

He added: "I don't know, we'll see how it goes. For the immediate future, I would like to save my club [from relegation] and after that, we'll see later.

"If I'm good I deserve to move up to the next level, but I am not busy with that right now."

Already capped for France's U20 squad, Lafont could make the step up to the U21s, with a call up to the senior squad not too far away should the youngster continue to impress for Toulouse.

Good enough for Arsenal at 19?

Lafont has progressively improved in most departments since his first full season with the French club. This term he has already managed to keep the same number of clean sheets as last season despite playing nine games fewer.

Should he continue in this fashion, Lafont should surpass his best number of saves made in his short career so far. In the 2016/17 season, he made 93 saves, while this season so far he has mustered 69 saves, eclipsing his season debut, where he totalled 44.

His distribution has progressively improved as well - an attribute imperative for the modern goalkeeper, especially given Arsenal's possession-heavy approach. With the club preferring to build from the back, Lafont would fit in nicely to Wenger's style of play.

Meanwhile his saves per goal has decreased since last season, the only blemish in an otherwise promising progression form from Lafont. But given Toulouse's struggles this season with relegation, he can perhaps be forgiven.