Arsenal scouted Marseille goal machine Florian Thauvin

Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi revealed that the Gunners were following Marseille striker Florian Thauvin during the early days of his career. 

The Frenchman had a disappointing spell with Newcastle United but has come good since returning to France with Marseille.

The Gunner’s scout says he found the striker to be too unpredictable in the past but says he would make it into the Arsenal squad today.

“Arsenal were scouting him when he was at Bastia and we were following him closely at the time,” he admitted to L’Equipe. “After he moved, he wasn’t at the same level.

“Today, at Arsenal, he would play.”

Contradicting himself slightly, Grimandi went on to say that Thauvin has a champion-like mentality but doesn’t think much of his physique and claims he “lacks power.”

He added: “He’s starting to score in big games, he’s rarely injured, and while I found him unpredictable a couple years ago, he’s not much more efficient. I didn’t think he could reach that level.

“When he was in Chateauroux’s youth system, no big club wanted him. Mentally, he’s a true champion.

“Personally, I’ve doubts over his physique. He has work-rate but lacks power.”

Florian Thauvin: much more than a Newcastle flop

Florian Thauvin's league goalscoring tally by season in Europe's top five leagues:

2012/13: 10 goals
2013/14: 8 goals
2014/15: 5 goals
2015/16: 2 goals
2016/17: 15 goals
2017/18: 20 goals

Peak of his powers. pic.twitter.com/mFU8dmH6pl

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In 2014 the France international, along with fellow World Cup winners Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane were named by The Guardian as one of the ten most promising players in Europe.

Thauvin’s promise didn’t quite materialise on Tyneside, as he scored only once in 16 appearances with Newcastle United, but since arriving on the French Riviera, the forward has discovered his shooting boots and has found the back of the net 26 times across all competition with Marseille last season.

The goal machine has carried on ticking this season too. He has notched five goals in five appearances in Ligue 1 during some truly imperious performances up front.

He has impressed so much that reports have linked him with a move to Europe’s elite sides with Bavarian giants Bayern Munich at the front of the pack as they look to replace legendary winger Franck Ribery, who is now 35-years-old.

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