Arsenal considered bringing in a new central midfielder on deadline day in February.
Mikel Merino’s foot injury almost forced the Gunners into the market. Leon Goretzka was linked with a deadline day switch. So, too, was Sandro Tonali. The pair ultimately remained at Bayern Munich and Newcastle United, respectively.
Even so, Arsenal are likely to make a move for another middle man this summer. Goretzka is supposedly keen on a switch to the Emirates. Central midfield shouldn’t be the only area they invest in in the off-season.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Arsenal’s summer priority
Left-wing is another problematic position for the north London side. No fewer than four players — Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke — have featured for the Gunners down the left flank this season. The capital outfit need consistency in a key area, especially as the rest of the XI — for the most part — largely picks itself.
It’s something of a position of weakness for Mikel Arteta’s men. A high-quality option down the left would ensure they are able to really compete on multiple fronts. Granted, this hasn’t been an issue for Arsenal this season. They hold a nine-point advantage on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. The quarter-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League are to come after the international break.
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However, it’s vital to routinely improve on areas after each season in order to remain competitive. Arsenal are no different. And with a left-winger expected to be high on the club’s wishlist, Anthony Gordon and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, are rumoured targets for the Gunners.
Why Arsenal would want Gordon or Kvaratskhelia
Gordon may not be the glamourous name some supporters crave. However, he’s the Premier League experienced option and he’d tick a homegrown box to boot. What’s more, the England international is a hard-working, high-pressing wideman, and Arteta is known to appreciate this trait to a forward’s game.
Factor in Gordon’s versatility — another quality that Arteta likes in a player — and it’s for good reason that the Gunners are believed to be monitoring the former Everton man.
Conversely, Kvaratskhelia offers that similar high work-rate down the flank. The Georgian provides excellent cover for his full-back, with the willingness and desire to track back an underrated quality to his game.
Convincing ‘Kvaradona’ to swap Paris for London would be difficult in itself. But Arsenal’s rise to a global powerhouse means they have to pull to lure players of his calibre to the Emirates.
Both Gordon and Kvaratskhelia offer the requisite directness down the flank that will help peg defences back. However, if Arsenal are looking to really take a sizeable leap forward, then it is the PSG man that should be the top left wing target. While the Parisian powerhouse would take some convincing to sell, the former Napoli man would be worth the push.
Gordon vs Kvaratskhelia comparison
Kvaratskhelia is completing more take-ons per 90 minutes (2.5) than Gordon (1.8) in their respective leagues. The former also boasts the better take-on success rate (53.45%) than the latter (49.25%). The PSG star also fares better for chances created per 90 (2.2 to 1.4).
Even taking into account PSG’s dominance in Ligue 1, Kvaratskhelia is faring better off the ball. Indeed, he is making more tackles (1.4) and contesting more ground duels per 90 (11.5), though Gordon boasts the better ground duel success rate (51.74%).
PSG reportedly consider Kvaratskhelia “near-unsellable”. It means Arsenal may have a chance to land the Georgia international, though it’s slim at best. It would take a considerable offer to convince the Ligue 1 champions to cash in on one of their prized attacking players. However, he’d be a marquee addition for the Gunners, and then some.
There are, though, pros to the interest in Gordon. The former Everton man would potentially be available for a cheaper price and already knows the league well. In a more dominant Arsenal side, Gordon would be able to take his game to the next level. With 16 goals and nine assists against the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ in his career, the 25-year-old is the big game player that would enable Arteta’s side to dominate the division for years to come.
While we’re still some time away from the summer window, elite teams will have begun planning their transfer strategy. For Arsenal, this means picking out the ideal left winger. Kvaratskhelia is the logical choice but a deal could prove easier said than done. Even if Arsenal do sign Gordon as an alternative, they’d still be upgrading a key attacking position.
