Arsenal shut in on signing their subsequent Jack Wilshere

Throughout Arsenal‘s pre-season tour of America, there was a brand new arrival within the camp. Sporting a fairly luscious head of hair, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori was launched to the squad.

Already boasting fluent English, he spoke to his new teammates of his need to win trophies and to do one thing particular this forthcoming season.

He must wait to seek out out whether or not that dream turns into a actuality, however one other few signings will surely do no hurt in Mikel Arteta‘s plan to lastly topple Manchester Metropolis.

Arsenal’s subsequent summer season signing

The Gunners have already ticked off a brand new defender this summer season however they’ve extra work to do. A striker may nonetheless arrive and there may be additionally a hope that they’ll herald a winger.

Spain famous person Nico Williams has been a precedence goal whereas there have additionally been hyperlinks to Wolves’ Pedro Neto.

For now, although, the main focus is on including a central midfielder to the group. That occurs to be Williams’ colleague at worldwide stage, Mikel Merino.

The scorer of an exquisite stooping header in opposition to Germany within the dying embers at Euro 2024, Merino has rapidly attracted the attention of Arsenal’s recruitment crew.

It is now reported {that a} deal is shifting nearer. That is in keeping with Fabrizio Romano who claimed this weekend that the Spaniard has ‘agreed to affix Arsenal’ and is appealed by the concept of working alongside Arteta.

Earlier studies counsel a deal within the area of £25m has been agreed between the Londoners and LaLiga facet Actual Sociedad.

How Merino compares to Jack Wilshere

It is secure to say that the Sociedad star has come a good distance since his earlier days within the Premier League with Newcastle United.

Whereas with the Toon, the midfielder performed simply 25 occasions, scoring as soon as and supplying one help. It was a far-from-spectacular stint in English soccer.

Since then, he has developed right into a remarkably constant and underrated footballer. Final season, whereas enjoying as a forward-thinking central choice, the 28-year-old was prolific together with his attacking involvements.

He scored eight targets and offered 5 assists. On that proof, he appears to be like excellent for the left 8 function Arsenal have wanted to fill.

But, how does a participant standing at 6 foot 2 evaluate to a diminutive 5 foot 8 Jack Wilshere? Properly, they’re each left-footed midfielders for a begin.

We’re not lazy sufficient to depart issues there, nevertheless, because the comparability stems from their play type.

Whereas Merino has been hailed for his “monster” potential to win duels, one thing highlighted by analyst Ben Mattinson final season, he’s blessed with related technical instruments to that man Wilshere.

Simply watch the clip under. Does it remind you of anybody? Merino is sort of a taller model of Arsenal’s famed Hale Finish graduate. The way in which he manipulates the ball together with his left foot and glides previous a participant is actually reminiscent to one of many membership’s best-ever academy graduates.

Wilshere was by no means an everyday goalscorer or assister however the two gamers listed below are clearly very progressive with their actions.

Final time period, the Arsenal goal ranked among the many finest 15% of positionally related gamers in LaLiga for progressive passes per 90 minutes. He was additionally within the high 23% for by means of balls.

A move is taken into account progressive if the gap between the start line and the subsequent contact is a minimum of 10 meters nearer to the opponent’s purpose or any accomplished move into the penalty space.

Curiously although, is the speed at which the 2 gamers in query have been fouled. We have talked about that potential to weave previous a participant with ease and it is due to that attribute that they’re extra more likely to win a foul.

In 2023/24, Merino was fouled 2.21 occasions per 90 minutes, which positioned him in one of the best 12% for that metric in Spain’s high flight.

Wilshere in his prime? Properly, halfway by means of the 2017/18 marketing campaign he was formally probably the most fouled participant within the Premier League, being taken out 3.59 occasions per 90.

So, whereas completely completely different in builds, there are some hanging similarities there, similarities that ought to effectively enhance Arsenal’s midfield.