Arsenal actively chasing “one of the best in the world”

It has not been a simple journey for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal facet up to now this season.

The Gunners have pushed Manchester Metropolis all the best way within the title race over the previous few years, however haven’t tasted any success as of but. Now, in 2024/25, it looks as if issues might find yourself being a complete lot worse for the Purple facet of North London.

Sitting third in the Premier League, the Gunners sit six factors behind league leaders Liverpool, who even have a sport in hand. It’s definitely a irritating place for Arsenal to be in at Christmas time.

With the January switch window proper across the nook, the Gunners may very well be eyeing some key reinforcements.

Arsenal goal LaLiga winger

The person who the Gunners are believed to be focusing on is likely one of the most in-form wingers in Europe, Barcelona star Raphinha. It could appear odd for Barca to promote such a key participant underneath Hansi Flick, however with cash points nonetheless troubling the LaLiga giants, they may very well be left with no alternative.

According to a report from Graeme Bailey, the Gunners ‘enquired about Raphinha in the summertime they usually stay involved with intermediaries’. Ought to there be the possibility to strike a deal within the winter as an alternative, they might pounce.

Nevertheless, they won’t be alone of their quest to signal the Brazilian. The report means that title rivals Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis are additionally concerned with doing a deal, having proven a passion to signal the winger final summer time, too.

The article doesn’t make it explicitly clear how a lot the winger might value. Nevertheless, the Catalan club spent £55m on him from Leeds, and a deal for a sale may very well be round the same worth. Nevertheless, Barcelona appear sure they won’t promote Raphinha but.

How Raphinha compares to Bukayo Saka

Whether or not or not a deal to convey the winger in is achievable for Arsenal, there isn’t a doubt that the 28-year-old would tremendously improve the standard of their facet. He has been incredible in 2024/24 up to now for Barca, scoring 17 targets and grabbing ten assists in 23 games across competitions.

The winger is totally flying in that well-known Barca shirt this season. Extremely, throughout Europe’s large 5 leagues, there are solely 4 gamers with extra targets and assists than him, according to FBref. Particularly, they’re teammate Robert Lewandowski with 18, Omar Marmoush and Harry Kane who each have 20 and Mohamed Salah who has 22.

One factor is for positive, Raphinha could be an improve on Gabriel Martinelli, no less than primarily based on their stats from this season. It has been a extremely disappointing season for the Brazilian up to now, with simply 4 targets and three assists in 22 games in all competitions.

He’s averaging 0.31 targets and assists per sport this time period, in comparison with a powerful 1.17 for his worldwide teammate. It might definitely be considered as an enormous improve.

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Though Martinelli is struggling for type, the identical can’t be mentioned for Bukayo Saka. Arsenal’s quantity seven has scored 9 targets and has 12 assists in 22 games across competitions, and has acquired some large reward not too long ago. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, talking to BBC Sport’s Football Focus, mentioned “the evolution of his sport is excellent”.

Apparently, there generally is a statistical comparability made between Raphinha and Saka via FBref. Each left-footed extensive gamers, the pair have spectacular artistic passing stats this time period. Per 90 minutes, the Brazil star averages 3.53 key passes, with the Arsenal winger averaging 3.04 key passes.

Not solely would the Gunners be getting one other participant who can create probabilities, however somebody who can vogue goalscoring alternatives from all types of situations. The Barca star averages 5.89 shot-creating actions and 0.96 goal-creating actions. That’s barely lower than Saka, who averages 6.43 shot-creating actions and 1.52 goal-creating actions.

Signing Raphinha looks as if a no brainer if the deal is feasible for Arsenal. He was as soon as described as “among the best gamers on the earth” by former manager Xavi, and he definitely has the numbers to again that up. The Brazilian may very well be the person to come back in and assist drive the Gunners again up the desk.

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