Forward of the opening weekend of the Premier League marketing campaign, Arsenal followers will possess a cautious sense of optimism forward of the 2025/26 marketing campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect have completed as runners-up in every of the final three years, hopefully going one higher this season after making quite a few key additions throughout the summer season window.
The hierarchy have backed him within the switch window, fixing an issue place by touchdown striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP after he scored 54 targets within the latest season.
Different areas of the pitch have additionally been topic to funding, with Martin Zubimendi and Cristhian Mosquera arriving on the Emirates and bolstering the midfield and defence departments, respectively.
Nonetheless, regardless of the heavy spending in latest weeks, one other participant has persistently been on their radar – within the type of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
The newest on Arsenal’s hunt for Eze
All through the summer season window, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder has been closely talked about over a transfer to hitch Arsenal, subsequently enhancing the choices at Arteta’s disposal.
Nonetheless, they face stiff competitors from North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who’ve additionally been credited with an curiosity in his signature throughout the low season.
Thomas Frank’s aspect have been in talks with the English worldwide, with each side trying to benefit from the £60m valuation positioned on his head by Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.
In latest days, it’s been reported that the Gunners may stroll away from negotiations within the coming days, presently seeing his asking value as out of vary, given the cash already splashed this summer season.
He’s not the one midfield star of their sights between now and the September 1st deadline, probably seeing a transfer open up for a top-level European star.
Arsenal’s hunt for an additional midfielder this summer season
Earlier on in the summertime window, Arsenal have been one among varied Premier League sides linked with a transfer to land PSG teen Warren Zaire-Emery forward of the 2025/26 marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, no deal may very well be reached for the Frenchman, unsurprisingly given the Ligue 1 aspect’s asking value, which noticed a £100m price ticket mooted.
He’s not the one European star who’s appeared on the Gunners’ radar as of late, with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong additionally of their sights, based on one Spanish outlet.
Their report states that Arteta’s aspect are carefully monitoring a transfer for the Dutch worldwide, who solely has one 12 months remaining on his present contract with the LaLiga giants.
It additionally states that with no new deal but on the horizon, the 28-year-old may very well be open to exploring a transfer this window, leading to a £35m asking value being raised.
Why Arsenal’s newest goal is a much bigger expertise than Eze
Lacking out on Eze could be a bitter blow for the Arsenal fanbase, particularly given the large rumours linking him with a transfer to the membership over latest months.
Their distress would undoubtedly be compounded if the participant himself have been to maneuver to Spurs, which might see the Englishman definitely make Frank’s outfit a stronger one.
Nonetheless, it’s vital that the Gunners don’t overspend this summer season and pay over-inflated switch charges – with different severe high quality obtainable within the present market.
A deal for De Jong may present simply that, possessing years of expertise of working on the very top-level of European soccer – one thing which will probably be very important if the membership are to achieve the following stage.
While the pair function in barely completely different positions, the 28-year-old has confirmed in Spain over latest years that he’s a number one expertise within the box-to-box space – in a position so as to add additional high quality into the center of Arteta’s aspect
.
His underlying stats from the 2024/25 marketing campaign spotlight the standard he would add to the first-team squad, in a position to have a serious say on their success at both finish of the pitch.
In response to FBref, De Jong, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Simone Inzaghi, ranked within the 99th percentile for passes accomplished (94%) and 97th percentile for progressive passes (9.5).
Frenkie de Jong’s stats for Barcelona (2024/25) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Tally |
Video games performed | 26 |
Targets & assists | 4 |
Go accuracy | 94% |
Progressive passes | 9.5 |
Shot heading in the right direction accuracy | 60% |
Passes into ultimate third | 11.1 |
Carries into ultimate third | 3.1 |
Tackles received | 1.5 |
Interceptions made | 2.4 |
Stats by way of FBref | |
Such numbers may enable him to select the likes of Gyokeres inside the ultimate third, permitting the Swede to have a big impact throughout his maiden marketing campaign in North London.
Regardless of that includes in a deeper place than Eze, he has nonetheless showcased the risk he possesses in entrance of aim, reaching a 60% shot heading in the right direction charge – placing him within the 99th percentile of all midfielders in Europe.
Out of possession, the previous Ajax star has additionally impressed, successful 1.5 tackles per 90 and making 2.4 interceptions – in a position to break up the participant earlier than progressing the ball into harmful areas.
While one other attacking-minded participant continues to be excessive on the membership’s shortlist, a deal for De Jong is one the hierarchy merely can’t move up between now and the switch deadline.
If he can replicate such skills in England, he could be a discount switch and one that may nonetheless assist the membership of their quest to finish their two-decade anticipate a top-flight title.
