Patrick Vieira is a participant who will eternally stay a membership legend at Arsenal football club after his contributions throughout his close to decade as a first-team star in North London.
The Frenchman joined the Gunners as an unknown amount to many after his unsuccessful stint with AC Milan, however would find yourself turning into one in all their best-ever midfielders – successful infinite trophies alongside the way in which.
He would only cost £3.5m in the course of the summer season of 1996, making a complete of 405 appearances at Highbury, earlier than becoming a member of Juventus in 2005 for £13.75m – banking a revenue of over £10m for the hierarchy.
Nonetheless, regardless of the monetary side, it was his performances on the sector that noticed the largest profit, with Vieira taking part in an enormous function in successful 4 FA Cups and three Premier League titles throughout his interval within the capital below Arsène Wenger.
Quick-forward almost 20 years on from his departure, the hierarchy have the chance to land one other Frenchman who may comply with within the footsteps of the fan favorite ought to they win the race for his providers.
Arsenal battling European giants for French star
In accordance with TBR, Arsenal scouts have been monitoring the progress of 17-year-old Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi forward of a possible transfer to the Emirates within the close to future.
The teen, who already options for the France U21 facet, additionally has admirers from the likes of Liverpool, Actual Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich with an enormous battle for his signature set to happen.
Nonetheless, given his age, he might be unable to make the transfer till he turns 18, with Bouaddi unable to make any transfer to hitch Mikel Arteta’s facet till October 2025 on the very earliest.
It might be a very long time to attend, however it might actually be worthwhile, with the feeling already making 12 Ligue 1 appearances in 2024/25 to this point regardless of his tender age – even making 5 begins within the Champions League – an actual sign of his spectacular qualities.
While his abilities may see him emulate the success of compatriot Vieira in North London, he may additionally bolster the figures of a present first-team star ought to any deal be agreed within the months forward.
Why Bouaddi can be excellent for Odegaard
Martin Odegaard has typically been one in all Arteta’s shining lights in attacking areas throughout his tenure on the Emirates, struggling massively in the course of the opening weeks of the season after the midfielder’s ankle damage.
Nonetheless, since his return to first-team motion, the Norwegian has already demonstrated his class, registering four assists and one goal, typically that includes in a deep-lying quantity eight function and working as extra of a box-to-box possibility relatively than a quantity 10.
Undoubtedly, he’s been a hit in such a place, however Bouaddi’s ball-winning and progressive means may take a number of the defensive duty off Odegaard’s shoulders, permitting the previous Actual Madrid star to create additional havoc within the last third.
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Ayyoub Bouaddi’s stats for Lille in Ligue 1 (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Video games performed |
12 |
|
Minutes performed |
518 |
|
Go accuracy |
90% |
|
Progressive passes |
3.5 |
|
Profitable take-ons |
1.1 |
|
Passes into the ultimate third |
3.2 |
|
Tackles gained |
4 |
|
Interceptions made |
1.1 |
|
Stats through FBref |
|
Despite the fact that he’s solely 17 years of age, the Lille famous person, who’s been dubbed a “10/10 talent” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, has completed 90% of his passes this marketing campaign, with 3.2 per 90 of which being into the ultimate third, handing Odegaard the ammunition to extend his tallies.
Alternatively, defensively is the place he’s excelled, successful an average of four tackles per 90, additionally finishing 1.1 interceptions – highlighting why he might be the modern-day Vieira for Arsenal if a deal might be struck.
There’s no denying that Arteta and his facet will face enormous competitors for his signature, however given his youth, he has the flexibility to construct on his already spectacular begin to life as an expert.
No price ticket has but been mooted for Bouaddi’s providers nevertheless it’s more likely to be cash nicely spent regardless, handing the Gunners one other shell of their armoury as they appear to finish their two-decade watch for a top-flight title.
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