Kallstrom verdict

Will Kim Kallstrom be a hit at Arsenal? Read our assessment and offer your own verdict here.

Kim Kallstrom

To: Arsenal
From: Spartak Moscow
Fee: On Loan Age: 31
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Swedish

Bio

The vastly experienced Sweden international has more than 100 caps for his country and enjoyed plenty of success during a six-year stay in France with Lyon, winning two league titles. Kallstrom moved on to Russian Premier League outfit Spartak Moscow in 2012 and the left-footed midfielder was available to Arsenal on loan.

They say

Arsene Wenger: "Kim Kallstrom is a hugely-experienced player. He is a midfielder with proven quality at both club and international level. We welcome Kim to Arsenal."

He says

"Arsenal is an amazing club with a lot of great players and a coach who has done really well here for a long time. I am so pleased to come here to learn as much as possible."

Hit?

Before his injury in his first Arsenal training session, Kallstrom had enjoyed a good career and has the technical capabilities as well as the attitude to thrive. Mathieu Flamini has shown that underwhelming additions can make a significant contribution and Gunners fans would be well-advised not to underestimate the Swede. Bodies will be needed if Arsenal are to compete in three competitions during the second half of the season and so they will hope Kallstrom's injury is not too serious.

Russian 2013/14 Premier League	Games	Passes Per Game	Pass Success %	Key Passes Per Game
Kim Kallstrom	10	20.5	70.2	0.9

Miss?

Tipped for stardom as a youngster and an impressive performer in his Lyon days, even Kallstrom's biggest fans would surely have accepted his career was on the slide even before his fresh injury. Thrust back into the limelight at Arsenal, there will be doubts over his ability to adapt to the pace of the English game - especially from a player who has never been the most athletic. Can his wand of a left foot make up for it? Time is not on his side.

Verdict

While this may be the sort of signing that has you wondering whether Arsene Wenger should put down the Championship Manager computer games of a decade ago, Kallstrom would not be about to embarrass himself if he can get fit. Unfortunately, it is not the sort of transfer that convinces supporters about the club's appetite for a serious tilt at the Premier League title even before his injury.