After deciding towards signing anybody within the January switch window, the summer time might be a giant one for Arsenal.
Again in 2023 they spent a substantial quantity on bolstering the squad, notably bringing in £65m Kai Havertz and £105m Declan Rice.
The place has that received them? Effectively, they’re prime of the Premier League and within the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It is arduous to counsel they weren’t definitely worth the cash.
So, what does 2024 have in retailer? It is possible they will go huge on a brand new star striker with Ivan Toney one title who refuses to go away. However who else?
Arsenal’s switch targets for 2024
It was reported again in January that Toney was a participant Arsenal wished to do a deal for however maybe with Kai Havertz’s type in latest weeks, they will look to spend huge elsewhere.
Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest was linked with a transfer over the weekend however a contemporary title coming from the hearsay mill considerations Joao Cancelo.
That is in line with The Solar who reported on Saturday that the Gunners are able to make their transfer for the defender if Barcelona do not signal the participant completely.
Cancelo is at present on mortgage at Barca from Manchester Metropolis after falling out with Pep Guardiola. The Portuguese would like to remain in Catalonia however Arsenal might be an attention-grabbing proposition for the participant contemplating Mikel Arteta‘s techniques.
How Joao Cancelo compares to Ben White
Signing Cancelo could be a very eye-catching addition from Edu and Co.
The 29-year-old is within the prime of his profession and crucially for Arteta, is just not solely a flexible particular person but additionally a participant able to adapting to his system. Why? Effectively, Cancelo is the basic instance of an inverted full-back.
Statman Dave described the Man Metropolis star as “the proper inverted wing-back” throughout his days in England and that capability to push into midfield would make him an excellent addition this summer time.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been an professional in that function since signing for the Gunners however his authority as a starter is now dwindling. Beforehand criticised for being a “legal responsibility” in defensive conditions, the Ukrainian might deliver composure and technical capability however Arsenal can do higher. The actual fact Jakub Kiwior – not sometimes a full-back – has now displaced him says all of it.
On the alternative aspect of the defence, Ben White is enhancing on a regular basis, notably registering two assists and a aim in his final two league video games. As soon as a central defender, the £50m signing has taken a leaf from Zinchenko’s guide and with the previous Man Metropolis man out of motion, has been the inverted defender on this staff.
Effectively, ought to Cancelo arrive then he might carry out that job simply as effectively. Vitally for White, he also can function at left-back.
All through his profession thus far the Barca loanee has been seen 217 occasions on the correct and 103 occasions from the left. On that be aware, he is a bit like Arsenal’s present choices Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber.
So, we all know Cancelo can invert however what else does he supply? Beforehand celebrated as “the perfect participant within the Premier League” by journalist Muhammad Butt, he ranks within the prime 10% of positionally related gamers in Europe’s prime 5 leagues for shot-creating actions, the perfect 1% for profitable take-ons (dribbles), and the highest 9% for progressive passes, all per 90 minutes.
Joao Cancelo vs Ben White: 2023/24 Season |
||
---|---|---|
Stat (per 90 minutes) |
Cancelo |
White |
Progressive carries |
4.18 |
1.18 |
Progressive passes |
5.00 |
5.74 |
Targets + assists |
0.24 |
0.25 |
Go success % |
82% |
85% |
Key passes |
1.39 |
0.93 |
Passes into closing third |
4.76 |
5.40 |
Crosses into penalty field |
0.43 |
0.34 |
Tackles received |
1.63 |
0.80 |
Interceptions |
0.96 |
1.01 |
Stats by way of FBRef. |
He’s the archetypal trendy full-back, having fun with the fun of galivanting ahead and influencing play within the closing third. The Benfica academy graduate additionally stacks up fairly effectively in comparison with White.
Contemplating Arsenal’s present defensive choices, this signing may not be a necessity but it surely’s definitely one which takes them up one other degree.
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