Who is Pape Abou Cisse?


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Who is Pape Abou Cisse?

By Oscar Maung-Haley

Recent reports have seen the Gunners linked with Olympiacos’ defender Pape Abou Cisse.

Here’s a profile on the 26-year-old Senegalese centre back.

Why has he been linked with Arsenal and what could he bring?

So far this season, Cisse has been in impervious form for the Greek giants.

Linking up alongside former Arsenal defender Sokratis, the pair have conceded just two goals in Greece’s Super League.

And it’s not just in the domestic league he has shone in either.

On the European stage for Olympiacos, the Senegalese centre back, who stands at a towering 6ft 6in, produced a stellar performance in their 3-0 Europa League win over Fenerbache.

So good have his performances been this season, it was rumoured that a host of Premier League clubs sent scouts to the Europa League clash to watch Cisse.

So far, he has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton.

And should he make the switch, he would almost certainly have to get accustomed to a higher level of football.

Of course, Cisse is also no stranger to The Emirates faithful.

In February 2020, Cisse scored the opener in Olympiacos’ sensational 2-1 upset of Arsenal in the Europa League, which saw the Greeks dump the Gunners out of Europe on away goals following a 119th minute extra-time winner from Youssef El-Arabi.

Was that goal a sign, albeit 20 months later, a sign of things to come?

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Why a potential move would be risky

However, there are some downsides to a potential move for Cisse.

Firstly, while he does have Abdou Diallo and Kalidou Koulibaly standing in his way at international level, he will almost certainly make the Senegal squad for the African Cup of Nations.

With a strong squad at their dispense, it is likely that Cisse could miss plenty of action across January and February, meaning his time to settle in a new country would not be as straightforward as it could.

Additionally, there’s every chance that he might want to stay in Greece.

Olympiacos sit third in the league after five games and remain the only unbeaten side in domestic action.
While the Premier League is undoubtedly a better league, Olympiacos can offer Cisse something that both Arsenal and Everton can’t – European football.

Of the three linked sides, only Liverpool could lay claim to consistent appearances in Europe.

But would he find a way into a side that already boast the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez AND Ibrahima Konate? Most likely not.

There’s also every chance that while he could improve Arsenal’s depth, he would be stuck behind Ben White and Gabriel, Mikel Arteta’s first-choice pairing, as well as perhaps Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Certainly one to watch moving forward.

PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES


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