There isn’t a getting away from it: this season has been one massive disappointment after one other for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s facet crashed out of each home cups, could not get previous Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League, and are to date behind Liverpool within the Premier League that it will be onerous to say they have been even in a title race.
Nevertheless, whereas this has not been a marketing campaign to recollect for the North Londoners, there have a minimum of been a number of positives, such because the type of Declan Rice.
The Englishman has been one of many staff’s finest gamers and at present has a tally of 18 objective involvements in 50 video games, so followers must be enthusiastic about latest experiences linking the membership to somebody who may very well 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 number 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 bought the ‘right here we go’ therapy from Fabrizio Romano on Saturday morning, and with Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente beforehand describing him as one of many “finest central midfielders on this planet,” followers must be excited.
Apparently, Larsson would additionally reportedly price simply as a lot this summer season, however as he is nonetheless simply 20 years outdated, his transfer would possible be one for the longer term, and if Arteta and Co wish to signal an up-and-coming central midfielder, they’d be higher served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, based on a latest report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are certainly one 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 isn’t talked about within the story, however one other report from earlier this month claimed that it will take a large price of round £80m to get the midfielder out of Selhurst Park this summer season.
It might be an extremely sophisticated and dear switch to recover from the road, however given Wharton’s capability and potential, it is one value preventing for, particularly as he may very well be their subsequent Rice.
Why Wharton may very well be Arsenal’s new Rice
The very first thing to say is that we aren’t claiming Wharton is on the identical stage as Rice in the intervening time, however there are sufficient similarities to counsel he might grow to be somebody simply as sensible.
One of many key similarities is their place and elegance of play, as, identical 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 within the prime 6% of midfielders in Europe’s prime 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 | High 6% |
Progressive Passes | 7.76 | High 7% |
Shot-Creating Actions | 3.91 | High 7% |
Dribbles Challenged | 2.95 | High 7% |
Crosses into Penalty Space | 0.32 | High 10% |
Inswinging Nook Kicks | 1.22 | High 10% |
Anticipated Assisted Targets | 0.19 | High 11% |
Objective-Creating Actions | 0.45 | High 12% |
Key Passes | 1.67 | High 14% |
Passes into Penalty Space | 1.28 | High 14% |
All Stats through FBref | ||
On prime of that, identical to the previous West Ham United captain, the younger “generational expertise,” as dubbed by members of the media, can be transferring to the membership from a fellow London-based Premier League facet in Palace.
Lastly, identical to the Gunners’ quantity 41, the up-and-coming Eagles star earned his first England cap at 20 years outdated and below the administration of Gareth Southgate.
In the end, whereas Wharton nonetheless has loads of growing to do, he already appears to be like like a particular participant, and if Arsenal have an opportunity to signal him, they need to take it, as they could simply be getting one other Rice within the making.
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