Teamwork makes the dream work

Berta set to launch mega-money bid to signal Arsenal’s greatest LW since Sanchez

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Whereas the elusive centre ahead is but to reach, there isn’t a doubt that this has been an incredible summer season for Arsenal within the switch market.

There is not any Edu-like hesitancy from the recruitment staff as Andrea Berta is right here and he is making a stamp on the Gunners.

With a transfer for Viktor Gyokeres persevering with to rumble on within the background, Mikel Arteta‘s facet have added Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke to their ranks.

But, they don’t seem to be completed there. It looks like a matter of time earlier than Gyokeres turns into an Arsenal participant and a brand new centre-back within the form of Cristhian Mosquera has already accomplished his media duties forward of being introduced.

However, one other winger may additionally arrive earlier than switch deadline day.

Arsenal trying to additional bolster their ahead line

Two of the largest rumours this summer season have involved Eberechi Eze and Rodrygo.

Eze, who was as soon as within the Arsenal academy, has reportedly already agreed private phrases with the Gunners however club-to-club talks are but to open between the north Londoners and Crystal Palace.

Eberechi Eze 2024-25 season in numbers (timeless)

If the attacker does make the transfer to the Emirates Stadium, then it is probably his £68m launch clause may have been activated.

However, how about Rodrygo? Effectively, this saga is one that appears as if it may proceed till the latter phases of the window.

The Brazilian performed simply 92 minutes at this summer season’s Membership World Cup and consequently, Xabi Alonso may effectively be trying to transfer him on from Actual Madrid.

Arsenal have been on the desk for some time now, however they’re joined by Liverpool within the race. Nevertheless, in line with studies in Spain, the Gunners at the moment are trying to steal a march on the Reds.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo-1

These studies counsel that Arteta views Rodrygo as ‘the perfect participant to strengthen the left flank’ and as a consequence, they’re making ready an €80m (£70m) bid to deliver him to London. It is unlikely that will likely be accepted as Madrid have set their asking worth at €100m (£87m).

Why Rodrygo may very well be Arsenal’s greatest left winger since Alexis

Whereas the centre ahead place at Arsenal has been an issue for 2 years now, arguably so has the broad left place in Arteta’s facet.

Gabriel Martinelli scored as many as 15 Premier League objectives in 2022/23 however since then, he is not scored greater than eight in a single league marketing campaign. As for Leandro Trossard, he did discover the online on 17 events in 2023/24, however so far as league objectives are involved, it was an inconsistent time period in 2024/25 for the Belgian too.

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring their second goal

Certainly, the previous Brighton winger scored simply eight within the top-flight, resulting in issues in regards to the total make-up of Arsenal’s assault.

It looks like a very long time in the past now that the Gunners had Alexis Sanchez dominating the left flank. Like Trossard, he additionally featured as the primary centre-forward, however his high quality far surpassed each him and Martinelli.

Forged your minds again to 2016/17 and you’ll recall simply how magical the Chilean was, scoring as many as 24 Premier League objectives. In all competitions, he discovered the online 30 occasions and provided 18 assists too.

It is numbers we have not seen from a ahead participant at Arsenal since Sanchez. Not even Bukayo Saka has loved a season pretty much as good as that.

Sanchez-Arsenal-Chiesa-Premier-League-transfer

Effectively, Rodrygo may effectively be the kind of winger who can emulate Alexis in north London. Just like the Chile worldwide, he’d arrive on the Emirates having performed second fiddle to some main names in Spanish soccer.

Sanchez moved to Arsenal within the shadow of Lionel Messi and Co whereas Rodrygo is firmly behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vini Jr.

Rodrygo's Real Madrid career (timeless)

But, his high quality is obvious for all to see. In 2022/23, he scored 19 objectives in all competitions and possesses a stunning dribbling capacity akin to the membership’s former quantity 17.

Alexis (16/17) vs Rodrygo (22/23)

Stat (* = per sport)

Alexis

Rodrygo

Targets *

0.6

0.3

Assists *

0.3

0.2

Key passes *

2.2

1.4

Huge possibilities created

10

10

Crosses *

0.4

0.2

Profitable dribbles *

2.8

2.4

Instances fouled *

1.8

1.4

Stats by way of Sofascore.

Taking a fraction of the information from the most effective particular person seasons of each gamers’ careers, there are apparent variations, notably by way of output.

That stated, they created an similar variety of huge possibilities and their dribbling could be very a lot on par, with Rodrygo solely 0.4 down with regards to their success charges.

To rubberstamp that capacity, the Madrid star ranked among the many prime 20% of positionally comparable gamers in Europe’s prime 5 leagues final yr for take-ons and the most effective 14% for progressive carries.

A carry is taken into account progressive if the ball is moved in the direction of the opponent’s purpose not less than 10 yards from its start line or is carried into the penalty space.

On that proof, the Brazil worldwide is a charming star and regardless that he isn’t too constant as regards to objectives and assists but, he’s nonetheless solely 24. Alexis, in distinction, was 27 throughout that 2016/17 marketing campaign. There may be loads of time left for him to develop but.

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