After dropping floor within the Premier League title race as soon as once more, Arsenal are actually reportedly main the race to signal a defender price a hefty £50m.
Arsenal switch information
Mikel Arteta‘s aspect have been in good spirits forward of Aston Villa’s go to. That they had reduce the hole on Liverpool and the title race very a lot appeared again on. After Darwin Nunez netted two late objectives for the Reds to defeat Brentford, although, it was as soon as once more the Gunners who slipped up because the Villans got here from behind to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Now six factors behind leaders Liverpool, who even have a recreation in hand, Arsenal may flip in direction of the switch market in an try and bridge that hole as soon as and for all within the coming months.
On that entrance, the likes of Benjamin Sesko have already been talked about. The RB Leipzig striker would immediately sharpen what has been a reasonably blunt Arsenal frontline from open play at instances. Nevertheless, earlier than they will concentrate on that frontline, these in north London may reportedly welcome yet one more defender.
In keeping with CaughtOffside, Arsenal are now the favourites to sign Ousmane Diomande forward of Premier League rivals Chelsea, with the Sporting CP man preferring a transfer to London.
He will not come low-cost, although, with Sporting demanding between €50-60m (£42-51m) to promote their centre-back this month. Whether or not Arsenal splash out to match such a value stays to be seen, however these on the Emirates noticed simply how huge the drop-off may be inside that backline when William Saliba was unavailable towards Aston Villa.
Associated
Arteta must drop 4/10 Arsenal star who lost the ball 18x vs Aston Villa
A number of gamers in pink and white weren’t on the races for Arsenal on Saturday.
Signing one other defender might sound like an absurd concept amid their attacking struggles, however the Gunners want a participant who can match the degrees of each Saliba and Gabriel within the occasion of their absences.
“Full” Diomande can present key depth
Arsenal have been pressured to manage with out Saliba and Gabriel at varied instances all too usually, and easily put, their choices from the bench merely don’t share the identical world-class high quality because the duo – be it Riccardo Calafiori or Jakub Kiwior. In contrast, Diomande is a participant destined to succeed in such a degree whether or not he completes a transfer to Arsenal or elsewhere.
|
League stats 24/25 (by way of FBref) |
Ousmane Diomande |
William Saliba |
Gabriel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Begins |
15 |
20 |
20 |
|
Progressive passes |
47 |
68 |
90 |
|
Tackles gained |
12 |
25 |
11 |
|
Ball recoveries |
83 |
87 |
47 |
The numbers do not lie, and it is clear that as a 21-year-old defender, Diomande may simply turn out to be the way forward for Arsenal’s backline in the event that they make their transfer to beat Chelsea this month or in the summertime switch window.
Described as “full” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, the Sporting man shall be one to look at because the season goes on. One other defensive signing might divide opinions on the Emirates, however Aston Villa uncovered simply how a lot weaker Arsenal are with out ample choices to switch Saliba when he’s struck by damage.
