Arsenal Scouts ‘Fell In Love With’ Inter Milan Wonderkid After San Siro Clash

Arsenal scouts were left stunned by Pio Esposito when they watched the Inter Milan starlet come off the bench at San Siro and immediately transform the game, with Gazzetta dello Sport revealing the Gunners’ observers “fell in love” with the teenager after witnessing his impact at first hand.

The revelation comes as Italy prepare for Tuesday’s World Cup play-off final in Zenica against Bosnia.

Indeed, with Gattuso deliberating over whether to hand Esposito a starting role or keep faith with the Retegui-Kean partnership.

According to Gazzetta, the scouts were particularly struck by how Esposito’s introduction forced Mikel Arteta to immediately reorganise his defensive setup.

Therefore, a measure of the immediate and tangible threat the youngster represents.

Gattuso Faces Dilemma As Arsenal Linked Inter Starlet Esposito Momentum Grows

Despite the groundswell of support for Esposito, Gattuso may resist the temptation to change a winning formula from the start.

Retegui has been Italy’s most prolific player under the new management.

He has scored five goals, the same as Kean, and every time the pair have started together, Italy have won.

That record carries significant weight.

However, Gazzetta are clear on the distinction.

“Pio, much more than Retegui, possesses the natural electricity to disrupt opponents’ plans mid-game,” they write.

Retegui is built for the battle: physical, combative, reliable.

Esposito is built for chaos: unpredictable, direct and capable of changing a match in an instant.

The other selection dilemma for Gattuso concerns the midfield.

Where he must choose between Locatelli as the central pivot or Cristante, who was rested against Northern Ireland with precisely this fixture in mind.