Marco Asensio has steadily established himself as one of the most exciting young players in world football since returning to Real Madrid from a promising loan spell at Espanyol last summer.

The attacking midfielder has gone on to bag twelve goals across all competitions for his parent club, become a senior Spain international, score in a Champions League final and claim the Silver Boot at the U21 European Championship.

So recent reports citing Arsenal's interest in the three-cap 21-year-old undoubtedly captured the imagination of the Gunners faithful, although Diario Gol went on to strongly suggest that Asensio will only be using the club's keenness to try and negotiate an improved contract at the Bernabeu.

That will have left Arsenal fans watching last night's second leg of the Spanish Super Cup inevitably wondering what could be if, in some alternative reality, Asensio reciprocated the club's interest.

Asensio got the contest off to a flyer with a stunning strike from long range in the fourth minute, while his performance also produced three created chances, one successful dribble and an 88% passing accuracy.

With Alexis Sanchez's future uncertain, the Spaniard would have been the ideal replacement. But ready to negotiate an improved contract and seemingly growing in importance to Los Blancos by the game, it seems Arsenal fans can only dream about the influence Asensio would've had at the Emirates Stadium.

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