There isn’t any getting away from it: this season has been one huge disappointment after one other for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect crashed out of each home cups, could not get previous Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League, and are up to now behind Liverpool within the Premier League that it might be exhausting to say they have been even in a title race.
Nonetheless, whereas this has not been a marketing campaign to recollect for the North Londoners, there have a minimum of been just a few positives, such because the type of Declan Rice.
The Englishman has been one of many crew’s greatest gamers and presently has a tally of 18 aim involvements in 50 video games, so followers ought to be enthusiastic about latest experiences linking the membership to somebody who might be their subsequent Rice.
Arsenal’s hunt for a brand new midfielder
Earlier than attending to the participant in query, it is value reviewing a few of the different midfielders linked with a transfer to Arsenal in latest weeks, like Martin Zubimendi and Hugo Larsson.
The previous’s proposed £51m transfer to the Emirates truly acquired the ‘right here we go’ remedy from Fabrizio Romano on Saturday morning, and with Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente beforehand describing him as one of many “greatest central midfielders on this planet,” followers ought to be excited.
Curiously, Larsson would additionally reportedly price simply as a lot this summer season, however as he is nonetheless simply 20 years previous, his transfer would possible be one for the longer term, and if Arteta and Co wish to signal an up-and-coming central midfielder, they’d be higher served performing on their supposed curiosity in Adam Wharton.
Sure, in accordance with a latest report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one in every of a number of sides eager on the Crystal Palace star.
Alongside the Gunners, the report revealed that Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester Metropolis, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have an interest within the younger Englishman.
A possible price ticket just isn’t talked about within the story, however one other report from earlier this month claimed that it might take a large charge of round £80m to get the midfielder out of Selhurst Park this summer season.
It might be an extremely difficult and expensive switch to recover from the road, however given Wharton’s capability and potential, it is one value preventing for, particularly as he might be their subsequent Rice.
Why Wharton might be Arsenal’s new Rice
The very first thing to say is that we aren’t claiming Wharton is on the identical degree as Rice for the time being, however there are sufficient similarities to counsel he may grow to be somebody simply as sensible.
One of many key similarities is their place and elegance of play, as, similar to the Arsenal star, the younger Palace ace began his profession and primarily nonetheless performs in defensive midfield however is now extremely influencing issues on the sharp finish of the pitch whereas sustaining his defensive output.
For instance, FBref has positioned him in the highest 6% of midfielders in Europe’s high 5 leagues for ball recoveries, the highest 7% for progressive passes, shot-creating actions and dribblers challenged, the highest 10% for crosses into the penalty space, the highest 11% for anticipated assisted targets, the highest 12% for goal-creating actions and extra, all per 90.
|
Wharton’s Scout Report |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Per 90 |
Percentile |
|
Ball Recoveries |
6.73 |
Prime 6% |
|
Progressive Passes |
7.76 |
Prime 7% |
|
Shot-Creating Actions |
3.91 |
Prime 7% |
|
Dribbles Challenged |
2.95 |
Prime 7% |
|
Crosses into Penalty Space |
0.32 |
Prime 10% |
|
Inswinging Nook Kicks |
1.22 |
Prime 10% |
|
Anticipated Assisted Objectives |
0.19 |
Prime 11% |
|
Purpose-Creating Actions |
0.45 |
Prime 12% |
|
Key Passes |
1.67 |
Prime 14% |
|
Passes into Penalty Space |
1.28 |
Prime 14% |
On high of that, similar to the previous West Ham United captain, the younger “generational expertise,” as dubbed by members of the media, could be shifting to the membership from a fellow London-based Premier League aspect in Palace.
Lastly, similar to the Gunners’ quantity 41, the up-and-coming Eagles star earned his first England cap at 20 years previous and beneath the administration of Gareth Southgate.
Finally, whereas Wharton nonetheless has a number of creating to do, he already seems to be like a particular participant, and if Arsenal have an opportunity to signal him, they need to take it, as they might simply be getting one other Rice within the making.
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