Arsenal endured one thing of a midseason collapse previous to the winter break, with three losses on the trot seeing them fall to fourth within the Premier League and crash out of the FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta’s males registered only one purpose in these three video games whereas conceding six, so it is not shocking to see a number of names now linked to the Emirates this month.
A kind of names is a promising teen who might be thought of competitors for an out-of-sorts Gabriel Martinelli, given his poor return of two league objectives this season.
Nonetheless, with this participant being likened to Chelsea’s expensive flop Mykhalio Mudryk, it is perhaps greatest for the Gunners to steer clear.
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Based on a report from The Solar earlier this week, Arsenal are fascinated with Actual Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea this month and consider him as a ‘prime goal’ to supply competitors for Martinelli.
The publication has additionally revealed that north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are eager on bringing the younger Spaniard to N17.
Each groups despatched scouts to look at him play within the Basque Derby on Thursday evening, though he was booked within the 61st minute, hooked within the 63rd, and Sociedad misplaced 2-1, so it wasn’t a perfect displaying.
Valued at £43m by the CIES soccer observatory, this may seemingly be an costly deal to finish – even with Arteta’s good relations with the membership – and with the 22-year-old being in comparison with Mudryk, this may not be a deal value finishing.
How Barrenetxea compares to Mudryk and Martinelli
Based on the footballing database FBref, the fast Ukranian is the fifth most comparable participant to the Sociedad ace throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues.
That is primarily based on the truth that the pair measure up and rank equally for varied key metrics in these leagues, similar to touches within the opposition field, progressive carries and tackles per 90.
Nonetheless, the percentiles during which they fall for these metrics aren’t spectacular, with the “elegant however hard-working” Spaniard, as he was described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, sitting within the prime 46% of wingers for touches within the opposition’s field, the highest 29% for progressive carries and the highest 19% for progressive passes acquired per 90.
Mudryk, however, sits within the prime 35%, the highest 22% and the highest 28% for a similar metrics.
What’s worse is that apart from these relatively uninspiring figures, Martinelli continues to be miles away from the participant who supposedly might be his competitors relating to their underlying numbers this season.
Actually, even Mudryk – who has had a tough time in west London after scoring simply 4 objectives because the Blues edged out Arsenal with an £88.5m provide final 12 months – comes out forward of Barrenetxea.
Barrenetxea vs Mudryk vs Martinelli
Stats per 90
Barrenetxea
Mudryk
Martinelli
Non-Penalty Anticipated Objectives + Assists
0.33
0.38
0.34
Objectives
0.30
0.33
0.14
Assists
0.10
0.11
0.14
Progressive Carries
3.64
5.56
5.59
Progressive Passes
1.92
2.11
3.15
Passing Accuracy
66.4%
66.8%
77.0%
Shot-Creating Actions
2.53
3.01
4.13
Objective-Creating Actions
0.30
0.33
0.49
Dispossessed
3.23
1.22
1.82
All Stats by way of FBref for the 2023/24 Home Season
Arsenal’s dynamic younger Brazilian comes out on prime in each important metric bar non-penalty-expected objectives and assists, objectives and the way steadily he’s dispossessed per 90, with the Chelsea man claiming the highest spot in these three areas.
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The 20-year-old may add some additional aptitude to Arsenal’s midfield.
In the end, the younger Spaniard – who has scored 3 times this season – has some expertise and he may show the doubters fallacious, however primarily based on the figures above and his shut similarities to Mudryk, it doesn’t make sense for Arsenal to spend a lot cash on a participant who’s clearly not adequate to displace Martinelli, even when he’s off form.