Reported Arsenal transfer target Johan Manzambi stole the headlines for the Swiss national team last night as he scored a sensational brace late on to help Switzerland secure a 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 20-year-old midfielder completely turned the game on its head after coming on from the bench, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young prospects.
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Johan Manzambi scored twice in the closing stages to help Switzerland win 4-1.
The Group B World Cup clash at SoFi Stadium was expected to have a tense ending until Manzambi was brought on in the second half.
The SC Freiburg star broke the deadlock in the 74th minute with a technically perfect volley that slotted into the back of the net to give Switzerland a 1-0 lead.
Even after Ruben Vargas added another goal in the 85th minute, Manzambi was not finished. In the 90th minute, he capped a fluid team movement directed by Granit Xhaka, opening up and calmly firing a side-footed shot past Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasili.
Bosnia scored the winning goal in the closing stages thanks to Enis Mafmic’s thunderbolt, but Xhaka’s penalty kick in stoppage time gave the final spark to a 4-1 victory and lifted Switzerland to the top of the group.
Arsenal in race to sign Manzambi
Manzambi’s international heroics come amid swirling rumors regarding his future, with Arsenal heavily linked with a move for the versatile midfielder.
Previous reports said the Gunners had emerged as “strong candidates” to sign the Swiss international, who was recently named UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Year after leading Freiburg to the final.
Mikel Arteta is known to be looking for a dynamic and energetic box-to-box midfielder to strengthen his engine room.
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Manzambi’s rare combination of raw speed, defensive ability and clinical execution in the final third has made him a sought-after player this summer, with reports that Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United have also been linked with Manzambi.
With his stock rapidly rising on the biggest stage of the World Cup, Arsenal may need to act quickly before his price tag goes up in a multi-club bidding war.
