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Arsenal's Europa League opponents Eintracht Frankfurt signed Andre Silva on loan before the end of the European transfer window on September 2nd. Here, we take a look at what the Gunners can expect when they face the Portugal international.

On the chalkboard

The Bundesliga outfit lost a lot of talent in attack during the summer, with Sebastien Haller, Luka Jovic and Ante Rebic all departing for new challenges.

As such, Adi Hutter and co needed to bring in reinforcements. Dejan Joveljic and Bas Dost were signed earlier in August, but clearly there was still the need for another forward. Accordingly, Silva joined from AC Milan, which is where Croatia international Rebic ended up.

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A poacher

The 23-year-old first burst onto the scene in 2016 with FC Porto, where he scored 16 goals in 32 appearances in the Portuguese league.

The following year, he earned himself a big-money move to Serie A, but things didn't work out for him at the San Siro and he was subsequently shipped out for a short-term spell to Sevilla in 2018.

There, he partially rediscovered his form, scoring nine goals in La Liga in 27 games, and began to once again display the goalscoring qualities which helped him make his name.

He is not a forward who is afraid of shooting, averaging 2.3 a game in the league last term. That was more than any of his teammates. A fox in the box, he is yet to score outside of the area in his career, and relies on being in the right place at the right time.

He is also a player who likes to challenge in the air. He competed in 6 aerial duels per match last season, which was higher than everyone in the squad once again. Although he didn't win as many as he lost, clearly the forward is not afraid to put himself about.

In Europe, Silva enjoys himself. He has 10 goals in 24 appearances, and it was especially in the Europa League that he excelled in his sole season with Milan to date.

All in all, then, Arsenal should expect to face a poacher who looks forward to appearing in continental competitions and if they allow him space in the penalty area, there is a strong chance the ball will end up in the back of the net.

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