Arsenal leading race for “frightening” £42m sensation

There isn’t any denying the truth that this season was a disappointment for Arsenal followers.

After coming so near profitable their first Premier League title in a era within the prior two campaigns, there was hope, if not expectation, that Mikel Arteta would lead the crew over the road this yr.

Nevertheless, an unlucky mixture of accidents, suspensions and lack of cutting-edge coalesced to see the Gunners end ten factors off Liverpool in first place.

One of the crucial disappointing stars for the North Londoners has been Gabriel Martinelli, who appears a shadow of that star who terrified defenders in 22/23, and primarily based on latest stories, that might be about to see him lose his place within the crew altogether this summer time.

Arsenal switch information

With Arteta’s choices on the left-hand aspect failing to maintain up with Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri on the best, it is hardly been stunning to a bunch of proficient left-wingers linked with Arsenal in latest weeks and months, resembling Rafael Leao and Antoine Semenyo.

The previous is undoubtedly some of the thrilling attackers in Europe, and his sensible haul of 12 targets and 13 targets in 50 exhibits how efficient he may be, though, with a launch clause reportedly value £145m, he would possibly simply be out of attain.

Semenyo, then again, might value the Gunners round £70m, and whereas that’s nonetheless some huge cash, he has confirmed his skill within the Premier League and was in a position to rack up a tally of 13 targets and 7 assists in 42 video games for Bournemouth this season.

Nevertheless, with so many different areas of the crew nonetheless needing to be addressed, the North Londoners would possibly need to spend even lower than that on an thrilling up-and-coming Martinelli improve, which might clarify the hyperlinks to Malick Fofana.

Sure, in line with a latest report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are certainly one of a number of top-flight groups serious about signing the Lyon gem this summer time.

In reality, the report has revealed that, alongside Liverpool and Aston Villa, the Gunners are main the race for the 20-year-old star, who’s valued at round £42m by the French giants.

It might be an advanced and considerably expensive switch to recover from the road, however given Fofana’s immense skill and potential, it’s one effectively value preventing for, particularly as he’d be an important improve on Martinelli.

How Fofana compares to Martinelli

Whereas Fofana has sometimes performed off the best and up high in his brief profession, his major and unquestionably finest place is off the left.

Due to this fact, his largest competitors for recreation time at Arsenal subsequent season – if he joins – could be Martinelli, however how do the pair stack up towards each other?

Properly, by way of uncooked output, it is the Lyon ace who comes out on high, as in 41 appearances, totalling 2280 minutes, he scored 11 targets and offered six assists this time period, which comes out to a median of a purpose involvement each 2.41 video games, or each 134.11 minutes.

In distinction, the previous Ituano gem scored ten targets and offered six assists in 51 appearances, totalling 3564 minutes, which comes out to a median of a purpose involvement each 3.18 video games, or each 222.75 minutes.

Okay, who comes out on high once we have a look beneath the hood at their underlying numbers?

Properly, sadly for the Gunners’ quantity 11, the comparability solely turns into extra one-sided right here, as whereas he does do higher in a number of metrics, the younger Belgian does higher within the overwhelming majority.

For instance, the “game-changing” prospect, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, does much better in metrics like non-penalty targets plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passes and crosses into the penalty space, tackles, blocks, interceptions, shot and goal-creating actions, profitable take-ons and lots of, many extra, all per 90.

Lastly, in line with Mango, the teen can also be blessed with “scary velocity & acceleration,” so the North Londoners would not miss out on Martinelli’s breakaway potential if he was changed on the left.

Finally, Fofana may not be the most important identify round in the intervening time, however he appears set to grow to be a celebrity and is already higher than Arsenal’s common beginning left-winger.

Due to this fact, the membership ought to do every thing potential to signal him as quickly as potential.