Gunner Miquel Joins City On LoanLeicester City have made their second signing of the summer, after securing the services of Arsenal’s highly rated 20-year-old central defender Ignasi Miquel on a season-long loan deal.
The Barcelona-born youngster has made 14 senior appearances for the Gunners and will bolster City manager Nigel Pearson’s defensive options ahead of Sunday’s King Power Stadium clash with Leeds United. He will be available for selection subject to his registration being cleared by the Football League and the Football Association.
At 6ft 4ins, Miquel is an imposing figure in defence, but as well as his physical presence and qualities in the air, the youngster is known for his ability to bring the ball out from the back.
City boss Nigel Pearson said: "Ignasi is a centre-back with lots of potential and he will give us another option in defence. He's very enthusiastic and delighted to be here, which is a big part of taking players on loan for us.
"We'll see how he is with regard to availability and whether he will be part of the squad for Sunday's game against Leeds."
After making his professional debut in February 2011 against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, Miquel’s development continued under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger - his Premier League and Champions League bows coming later that same year against Liverpool and Olympiakos respectively.
Last season the defender featured three times for Wenger’s men, including the memorable 7-5 win at Reading in the Capital One Cup, and scored his first senior goal in a 6-1 win over Coventry in the previous round.
A Spanish Under-21 international and member of Barcelona’s famed academy system at a young age, Miquel arrives at King Power Stadium with an impressive pedigree, having featured heavily for the Gunners this pre-season.
The technically gifted central defender, who is capable of playing at left-back if required, will be hoping to make the squad for Sunday’s visit of Leeds and experience his first taste of Sky Bet Championship football.
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