Arsenal’s harm disaster in current weeks has highlighted the necessity for reinforcements in the summertime to stop such a problem from plaguing Mikel Arteta sooner or later.
The ahead line has been the world most significantly affected prior to now few matches, leading to gamers equivalent to Mikel Merino having to function in an unnatural centre-forward position.
Gabriel Martinelli returned throughout the draw with Manchester United final weekend, probably easing the blow endured by the boss in the previous couple of months.
Nevertheless, the setbacks have come at a price, all however ending the membership’s Premier League title ambitions, with the 15-point hole greater than probably too massive to shut within the final 10 matches.
Because of this, it’s pivotal that the board again the supervisor in the summertime, handing him the funds to land his targets, with one participant probably shifting to the Emirates on the finish of the marketing campaign.
Martin Zubimendi’s transfer to affix Arsenal in the summertime
Again within the January switch window, it was confirmed that Arsenal had been plotting a summer season transfer for Actual Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard was on the radar of fellow Premier League facet Liverpool final summer season, however the 26-year-old determined to remain put in LaLiga for one more season.
Nevertheless, journalist David Ornstein confirmed that the Gunners have been in long-term talks to signal the midfielder this summer season, following within the footsteps of Merino, who additionally moved from Sociedad in the beginning of the marketing campaign.
The likes of Jorginho and Thomas Partey are each out of contract this summer season, highlighting the necessity for added reinforcements within the midfield division, with Zubimendi nonetheless showing to be the primary choice.
Regardless of the rumours over current months, the membership could remorse permitting one participant to depart North London, particularly contemplating his type elsewhere after he left a few years in the past.
The previous Arsenal star who’s outperforming Zubimendi in LaLiga
Numerous Arsenal gamers have moved to Spain after plying their commerce in England, with the likes of Thierry Henry shifting to Barcelona after his profitable spell as a Gunner.
One other participant who adopted in the identical vein is midfielder Dani Ceballos, who spent a number of years on mortgage in North London earlier than returning to father or mother membership Actual Madrid.
The Spaniard spent two years on the Emirates between 2019 and 2021, however they determined in opposition to a everlasting transfer after he featured 77 occasions throughout his non permanent stint.
He’s since been a daily beneath Carlo Ancelotti’s facet, that includes 122 occasions since he returned to the LaLiag giants forward of the 2021/22 marketing campaign.
This yr alone, the 28-year-old has made 31 appearances for Madrid as they sit second within the league behind Barcelona, producing varied key stats alongside the best way.
Ceballos, who’s beforehand been dubbed “unimaginable” by Manchester Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola, has outperformed Zubimendi in varied key areas – highlighting the error Arsenal made in not signing him completely.
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How Ceballos compares to Zubimendi in LaLiga (2024/25) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Ceballos |
Zubimendi |
|
Video games performed |
15 |
26 |
|
Minutes performed |
832 |
2149 |
|
Shot-on-target accuracy |
40% |
29% |
|
Move accuracy |
95% |
83% |
|
Shot-creating actions |
4 |
1.5 |
|
Tackles received |
2 |
1.3 |
|
Interceptions |
1.5 |
1.3 |
|
Stats through FBref |
||
The previous loanee has registered a greater shot-on-target fee together with extra shot-creating actions per 90 – showcasing his spectacular potential within the last third.
Nevertheless, the Gunners are crying out for a deep-lying choice to regain possession, with Ceballos profitable extra tackles per 90 than Zubimendi, together with extra interceptions, having the defensive high quality to function within the desired position.
Given his type since leaving North London, the membership could remorse not preserving maintain of the 28-year-old, with the Spaniard having quite a few key qualities that might bolster the present facet.
He’ll stay as a case of what may’ve been, starring on the prime degree of European soccer for Madrid, with Arteta needing to place such a mistake behind him and concentrate on the longer term as he goals to finish the membership’s two-decade watch for a league triumph.
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